Wicknell Chivayo filed an urgent High Court application against his estranged wife, Sonja Madzikanda. He wants the divorce case dismissed immediately.
Chivayo argues their customary marriage ended in 2024. He says the ongoing case is damaging his businesses.
Meanwhile, courts in South Africa froze assets linked to him. The ruling also grounded a private jet connected to his companies.
South African Order Intensifies Legal Battle
The legal dispute has now spread from Zimbabwe to South Africa. Madzikanda secured an anti-dissipation order in South Africa.
As a result, authorities froze company bank accounts and grounded a Bombardier Challenger 300 jet, registration ZS-ACT.
Chivayo claims the South African order depends on the Zimbabwean divorce proceedings continuing.
“The entire anti-dissipation order is predicated on the pendence of HCHF/62/26,” Chivayo states in the urgent application.
“The clear antidote to this disastrous situation instated by the anti-dissipation order is the definitive resolution of HCHF/62/26.”
Furthermore, Chivayo says the customary marriage ended after he paid “gupuro” in 2024. He describes the divorce case as “frivolous and vexatious” under Rule 31 of the High Court Rules.
Additionally, he says the legal battle has “crippled” his businesses. According to court papers, the freeze prevents companies from paying salaries, rent, and taxes.
Child Maintenance Deal Under Threat
Chivayo told the court the South African order was revived on 23 April. He says the ruling now threatens a US$5 million child maintenance agreement.
Earlier, Justice Amy Tsanga approved the consent order on 2 April. The agreement granted Madzikanda primary residence of the children.
It also required Chivayo to pay US$2.8 million within 30 days.
“The freezing order makes it difficult, if not impossible, for the applicant to pay his monthly financial dues… which leaves him at risk of falling in contempt of court,” the papers state.
His lawyer, Tichawana Nyahuma, also stressed the urgency of the matter.
“If applicant fails to honour those financial obligations, it is the children that suffer.”
Meanwhile, Chivayo continues challenging the South African order. He argues the jet belongs to Intratrek Holdings and serves business purposes.
He insists the aircraft is not a luxury asset. He also says the frozen accounts have “rendered the affected entities incapable of conducting business.”
In addition, Chivayo argues the customary union was never officially registered. He says it was lawfully dissolved under Shona custom.
However, Madzikanda still filed for divorce in Zimbabwe. She seeks recognition of the marriage or civil partnership.
She also wants spousal maintenance and a share of the assets.
Justice Tsanga referred the issue of “proprietary consequences” to case HCHF 62/2026.
The High Court has not yet ruled on Chivayo’s urgent application.
The post Wicknell Chivayo Seeks Urgent Court Dismissal appeared first on iHarare News.
