The High Court has concluded the divorce case between businessman Wicknell Chivayo and Sonja Madzikanda, approving a US$5 million settlement and structured co-parenting plan.
The High Court has finalised the divorce settlement between Harare businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his estranged wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, bringing an end to a prolonged legal dispute that had drawn significant public attention.
The ruling, granted as a consent order before Justice Tsanga on Thursday, confirms a US$5 million maintenance agreement alongside a structured parenting plan for the couple’s minor children. The order concludes months of legal proceedings that had frequently entered the public domain through social media statements.
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According to the court order, Mr Chivayo is required to deposit the US$5 million into a bank account controlled by Ms Madzikanda. However, he will retain oversight over the operation of the account. The agreement states that US$2.2 million has already been paid, with the outstanding US$2.8 million to be settled within 30 days.
Justice Tsanga noted that the funds are intended to support both the welfare of the children and the establishment of an investment portfolio. “The respondent shall pay for all the living expenses of the minor children from the proceeds of the investment amounts receivable,” she said.
The court further directed that for a period of 12 months following the transfer of funds, Mr Chivayo will be solely responsible for covering all reasonable living expenses of the minor children. This arrangement is designed to allow Ms Madzikanda time to establish and grow the investment portfolio linked to the settlement.
After the 12-month period, the agreement provides that the children’s living expenses will, where possible, be funded from returns generated by the investment. The court specified that this will depend on whether the returns are sufficient to meet those expenses.
In terms of custody, the court awarded Ms Madzikanda primary residence of the children. However, a detailed co-parenting framework was established to ensure continued involvement by Mr Chivayo in the children’s lives.
The parenting plan grants Mr Chivayo access to the children for one uninterrupted week each month, all weekends, and on alternate public holidays. The court order also includes provisions for special occasions, including his birthday and Father’s Day.
A specific clause requires Mr Chivayo to be personally present during his allocated time with the children. The order prohibits him from delegating parental responsibilities to third parties during these periods, reinforcing direct parental involvement.
Justice Tsanga also outlined that Mr Chivayo is entitled to spend Father’s Day with the children regardless of the regular schedule. If the day does not fall within his allocated time, he may collect the children and return them to Ms Madzikanda’s residence by the end of the day.
To minimise future conflict, the court directed that any disputes between the parties must first be resolved through mediation or legal representatives before approaching the courts. This provision is aimed at reducing further public and legal confrontations.
On the issue of property division, the court ruled that the proprietary consequences of the divorce will be handled under a separate legal matter identified as case number HCHF 62/2026. Both parties have been ordered to cover their own legal costs in the current proceedings.
The finalisation of this case marks the conclusion of a highly publicised legal dispute involving Wicknell Chivayo, Sonja Madzikanda, High Court proceedings, divorce settlement, US$5 million agreement, parenting plan, Harare businessman, legal framework, child custody, financial settlement, mediation process, and family law in Zimbabwe.
