Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and ex-lover Locardia Karimatsenga-Tembo Monday entered a truce to settle their maintenance case out of the courts.
The matter was heard in Magistrate Reuben Mukavi’s chambers at the request by the Premier’s defence team represented by Advocate Thabani Mpofu.
Last month provincial magistrate Mukavi dismissed an application by Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s lawyers to strike off the maintenance claim on the basis that Karimatsenga’s claim did not comply with maintenance rules.
But, Karimatsenga’s lawyer Everson Samukange opposed Tsvangirai’s bid arguing it was a ‘mischievous’ application.
The lawyers representing the two parties refused to speak to the media after the chamber appearance and a negotiation meeting at Karimatsenga’s lawyers’ chambers. However court papers show that the two teams have agreed for an out of court settlement.
“We have been talking to each other as counsels. We believe we owe it to the profession, to the court and to the generality of Zimbabweans that we settle this matter. We have been able to find each other and we believe there is a way to settle this issue that will not involve the court.
“We have agreed that with the indulgence of this court this matter could be post poned to allow the processes we are carrying out to unfold”, read Advocate Thabani Mpofu submissions.
“We both believe we can settle this matter without the involvement of the court”, said Advocate Mpofu on behalf of Prime Minister Tsvangirai. The matter is expected to be heard on the 18th of October when both parties shed what they agreed before the court.
In her initial application, Karimatsenga wanted the Prime Minister to contribute US15,000 a month towards her upkeep, insisting she is used to the high standard of living that Tsvangirai had introduced to her.
Karimatsenga still insists Prime Minister Tsvangirai is her husband under customary law after he paid lobola to her parents in November last year. The Prime Minister denies this. ZimViews.wordpress.com
