MBABANE – The wife of the late Bishop John Nash Shongwe has approached the High Court seeking an order compelling the master of the High Court to approve the Liquidation and Distribution Account of the bishop’s E2.37 million estate.
Zanele Tfobhoyi Shongwe alleges that the delay in approving the account has prevented beneficiaries from receiving their inheritances. The claims are contained in court papers filed before the High Court, the merits of which are yet to be contested. The late bishop founded the Divine Healing Ministries International.
According to the court papers, Shongwe was the duly appointed executrix of the estate and is seeking several orders aimed at finalising the administration of the estate. She alleges that despite lodging the First Liquidation and Distribution Account in March this year, the account has not been approved.
The court papers indicate that the estate consists mainly of an immovable property situated in Fairview and valued at E2.05 million, together with cash assets held in the estate account. According to the application, Bishop Shongwe died on December 30, 2024. His estate was subsequently reported to the master of the High Court, who issued letters of administration appointing Zanele as executrix. Zanele states in her affidavit that she prepared and lodged the Liquidation and Distribution Account through her legal representatives in accordance with the Administration of Estates Act.
She alleges that despite numerous follow-ups, the account remains unprocessed. Zanele, who is represented by Bessie Gondwe, further alleges that officials from the Office of the Master advised that monies due to beneficiaries should first be paid into the Guardian’s Fund. According to the court papers, she disputes this position and argues that all beneficiaries are adults, identifiable and capable of receiving their inheritances directly. In her affidavit, she submitted that the Guardian’s Fund is intended primarily to safeguard monies belonging to minors, persons of unsound mind, beneficiaries who cannot be traced and other categories recognised by law.
She contends that none of the beneficiaries in the estate fall within those categories. “The beneficiaries have been deprived of the inheritances due to them,” reads part of the affidavit.
Zanele further alleges that the failure to process the Liquidation and Distribution Account has effectively stalled the finalisation of the estate. She is seeking an order declaring that the account should be examined and assessed without requiring estate funds to be deposited into the Guardian’s Fund. She is also asking the court to direct the master to examine and determine the account within 14 days.
Should the account be found compliant with the law, Zanele wants the master to approve it and allow it to lie open for inspection in accordance with the Administration of Estates Act. The application further seeks an order compelling the master to provide written reasons, should the account not be approved. Another key aspect of the application concerns the distribution of funds currently held in the estate account. Zanele wants the court to order that once all legal requirements have been met, the funds be paid directly to beneficiaries in accordance with the approved Liquidation and Distribution Account.
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Pastor Zanele Shongwe wants the court to compel the master of the High Court to approve the Liquidation and Distribution Acccount. (File pic)