Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has agreed to pay US$5 million in child maintenance to his former partner Sonja Louise Madzikanda, following a High Court settlement that also outlines his access rights to their children.
The agreement was formalised in a consent order issued by Justice Amy Tsanga on April 2, bringing to a close an urgent application Chivayo filed in March. In the application, he accused Madzikanda of repeatedly denying him contact with their two children, born in 2018 and 2019.
In court papers, Chivayo alleged that access to the children had been withheld unless he met certain financial demands, describing the situation as an attempt to use the children for leverage.
He said the restrictions had caused distress and negatively affected the children’s well-being.
He further claimed he had been blocked from communicating with the children, kept out of school-related matters and prevented from attending their events. According to his affidavit, attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue and mediation were unsuccessful.
Under the court order, the children will primarily reside with Madzikanda, while both parents retain full parental rights and responsibilities.
Chivayo has been granted visitation rights, allowing him to spend weekends with the children from Friday after school to Sunday evening, as well as one full week each school month, subject to prior agreement.
The order also states that Chivayo must personally care for the children during his access periods and cannot delegate that responsibility.
Of the US$5 million maintenance package, US$2.2 million has already been invested, while the remaining US$2.8 million is to be deposited into the same accounts within 30 days.
Madzikanda will manage the account, with Chivayo maintaining oversight. For the first year, he will also directly cover the children’s day-to-day expenses while the investment fund is being set up.
Both parties are barred from taking the children out of Zimbabwe without mutual consent.
The maintenance and access agreement comes amid a broader legal dispute over the breakdown of their relationship and division of assets, which remains before the courts.
Madzikanda claims the two were married under customary law in 2017 and is seeking substantial financial support, including a US$25 million lump sum, monthly spousal maintenance and a share of luxury assets and properties.
Chivayo disputes these claims, arguing that the union was not formally registered and that Madzikanda did not contribute to his wealth.
His legal team also maintains that the relationship ended after she issued a traditional divorce token in 2024 — a position her lawyers reject, arguing that only a court can legally dissolve a marriage.
Discover more from Nehanda Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
