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US$5 Million Settlement Marks End of Chivayo Divorce Saga<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
By A Correspondent -The High Court in Harare has brought to an end the highly publicised divorce case between controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his estranged wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, in a settlement that has drawn attention for its scale and continued legal and financial oversight provisions.<\/p>\n
The matter was finalised through a consent order before Justice Tsanga on Thursday, concluding a prolonged legal battle that had frequently spilled into the public domain through social media exchanges and public allegations.<\/p>\n
Under the settlement, Chivayo is required to pay a US$5 million maintenance package, with US$2.2 million already paid and the remaining US$2.8 million due within 30 days. The arrangement also includes a structured parenting plan and financial management conditions that have sparked public debate.<\/p>\n
However, the agreement has raised eyebrows due to the level of control retained over the financial arrangements, with provisions indicating continued oversight of the funds despite the settlement being finalised.<\/p>\n
Justice Tsanga ruled that \u201cthe respondent shall pay for all the living expenses of the minor children from the proceeds of the investment amounts receivable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The court further stated that \u201cfor a period of 12 months from the date of the transfer, the applicant (Chivayo) shall solely be responsible for all reasonable living expenses of the minor children, to enable the respondent to establish and build the investment portfolio.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also added that \u201cupon expiry of the said 12 months, the parties agree that the reasonable living expenses of the minor children shall, to the extent possible, be funded from the returns and\/or profits generated from the investment, provided that such returns are sufficient to meet the expenses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond the financial terms, the ruling sets out a strict co-parenting framework granting Chivayo access to the children for one uninterrupted week per month, all weekends, and alternate public holidays. He is also required to be \u201cpersonally available and present\u201d during his allocated time and is prohibited from delegating parental duties to third parties.<\/p>\n
The order further states that \u201cthe applicant shall be entitled, on his birthday, to have contact with the minor children if that day does not fall on the weekend when the applicant is entitled to contact and access.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also provides that \u201cthe minor children shall spend Father\u2019s Day with the applicant. If Father\u2019s Day does not fall over the applicant\u2019s scheduled weekend, the applicant may collect the minor children on Father\u2019s Day and drop them at the respondent\u2019s residence by the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The court directed that any future disputes be resolved through mediation or legal representatives before returning to court, while asset division will be handled in a separate case.<\/p>\n
The ruling marks the formal end of one of Zimbabwe\u2019s most closely watched high-profile divorce cases, drawing continued public attention due to the scale of the settlement and the prominence of the parties involved.<\/p>\n
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