This archive report was first published on 4 December 2019.
Robert Mugabe's Family to Share Sh1 Billion Cash Reserve ¶
Former Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe left behind a Sh1 billion cash reserve when he died in September 2019, aged 95. His widow, Grace, and their four children will have to agree on how to share the assets, as Mugabe did not have a will.
According to Zimbabwe media, Mugabe's death came two years after he was toppled by security forces allied to his Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. He ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades.
Details of Mugabe's death were made public in a letter by his daughter, Bona Chikowere. The letter revealed that Mugabe's assets include four houses, 10 vintage cars, a farm, and an orchard. However, a family lawyer, Terrence Hussein, stated that none of these properties were in Mugabe's name.
‘The 10 cars are a vintage car collection which frankly had value only to him,’ Hussein said in an interview with the BBC.
Chikowere's letter did not mention other farms that Mugabe had reportedly gained ownership of after they were seized during Zimbabwe's land reform programme.
According to Zimbabwean law, if someone dies without a will, their assets are divided between their spouse and children.
