Estate battle intensifies as widow faces car theft charges

A woman who claims she married a dead politician faces theft charges after police said she stole his car. Nontokozo Moyo appeared before a judge on Wednesday and received bail for 150 dollars. She must give up her passport and stay at her home address until her next court date arrives July 2. The judge warned her not to contact witnesses about the case. Moyo says she was the customary wife of Farai Taruvinga, a former parliament member who died from cancer.

Four different women are fighting over Taruvinga's massive fortune after he passed away March 31. Amanda Falala became the official person handling his estate, but Moyo wants the court to remove her from that job. Moyo claims Falala hid the fact that other wives existed when she registered the estate paperwork. She says Falala only listed herself and another woman as surviving spouses. The two women accuse each other of lying about their relationships with the dead politician.

Taruvinga left behind millions of dollars worth of property and valuable items. His estate contains luxury homes, fancy cars such as a Bentley, cattle, nightclubs, and a working mine. Legal experts believe this court battle could last for years because of the complex family situation. The case has moved from a simple inheritance dispute to criminal charges that could send someone to jail.