Chivayo Loses Maintenance Case – Eduzim News

By Crime and Courts Reporter-Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo has suffered a legal setback after the High Court ordered him to pay a substantial maintenance settlement to his estranged wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, bringing to a close a protracted and highly publicised divorce dispute.

High Court Judge Justice Amy Tsanga on Thursday granted a consent order requiring Chivayo to pay a US$5 million maintenance package, alongside agreeing to a structured parenting plan for the couple’s minor children.

Under the terms of the settlement, Chivayo is obliged to deposit the full amount into a bank account controlled by Madzikanda. The court heard that US$2.2 million has already been paid, with the outstanding US$2.8 million due within 30 days, placing immediate financial obligations on the businessman.

In her ruling, Justice Tsanga directed that Chivayo would shoulder the financial responsibility for the children’s upkeep in the short term.

“The applicant shall be responsible for all reasonable living expenses of the minor children for a period of 12 months… to enable the respondent to establish and build the investment portfolio,” she ruled.

After this period, the children’s expenses are expected to be supported, where possible, by returns generated from the investment.

The court also granted primary custody of the children to Madzikanda, while limiting Chivayo’s access to structured visitation — including one uninterrupted week per month, weekends, and alternate public holidays. Importantly, the order requires Chivayo to be personally present during his access periods, barring him from delegating parental responsibilities to third parties.

While the settlement effectively ends the maintenance dispute, the division of the couple’s assets remains unresolved and will be determined in a separate matter before the courts.

The outcome marks a significant moment in the case, with Chivayo emerging from the proceedings under clear financial and parental obligations, following months of legal contestation that played out in the public domain.

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