Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo's former wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, and his sister, Esther Chivayo, have reached an agreement to jointly manage his estate following his death in a helicopter crash.
The two women have agreed to serve as co-executors of the estate, in a move aimed at ensuring the smooth management of his assets while safeguarding the interests of his two young children.
The agreement was signed in Harare on November 3, 2026, and subsequently presented to the Master of the High Court for consideration.
In a letter dated November 3, Madzikanda's legal representatives, Mahuni Gidiri Law Chambers, informed the Master that the parties had reached a consensus on the proposed appointment of Madzikanda and Esther as joint executors.
Esther's lawyers, Caleb Mucheche and Partners Law Chambers, also confirmed the development in a separate communication dated November 4, stating that Chivayo's family had unanimously supported the appointment of his sister to help oversee the estate.
Esther is described as Chivayo's biological sister and next of kin. The proposed arrangement is also expected to eliminate the additional costs that would have been incurred in appointing an independent administrator to manage the estate.
However, the agreement is yet to receive formal approval from the Master of the High Court. This means that neither woman has officially been granted authority to administer the estate, with the final decision resting with the court official.
The proposed joint administration comes amid an outstanding legal dispute between Madzikanda and her former husband involving matrimonial property valued at US$25 million (approximately Sh3.2 billion).
The matter, which concerns the division of assets between the former couple, was pending before Zimbabwe's Supreme Court when Chivayo died.
Following his death, the case was removed from the court schedule pending the appointment of a legally authorised representative of his estate to take his place in the proceedings.
Chivayo's lawyer, Advocate Sylvester Hashiti, confirmed that the matter would have to await the appointment of an estate administrator before it could proceed.
If approved, Madzikanda's appointment as co-administrator would place her in a significant position in the process of identifying and managing assets that are also at the centre of her outstanding matrimonial property claim.
However, the proposed arrangement does not automatically resolve the US$25 million dispute or establish her entitlement to the amount.
Chivayo's estate, registered as DR 5427/26, is believed to comprise substantial business interests and personal property, although its actual value has not been officially established.
The administrators will be expected to establish the full extent of his wealth, identify outstanding debts and legitimate claims against the estate, and determine the assets available for distribution to the rightful beneficiaries.
Chivayo, aged 43, was among six people who died when a helicopter crashed in Zimbabwe's Marondera district on September 30, 2026. His wife, Lucy Muteke, and three other people were also killed in the incident.
His death attracted widespread attention across the region, largely due to his high-profile business dealings, lavish spending and reported connections with influential political figures.
In Kenya, companies associated with the businessman have also attracted scrutiny following reports linking them to major infrastructure and investment opportunities, claims that the Kenyan government subsequently denied.
The proposed joint management of his estate now marks a significant step in determining how his wealth will be handled, with the interests of his children and other legitimate beneficiaries expected to guide the process.
The next step lies with the Master of the High Court, whose decision will determine whether Madzikanda and Esther can formally assume their proposed roles as co-executors.
