A Zimbabwean High Court has ordered flamboyant businessman Sir Wicknell Chivayo to pay his ex-wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, a $5 million lump sum as part of a divorce settlement. The ruling also awarded her additional benefits, including a house and structured custody arrangements, bringing an end to a long-running legal dispute. Wicknell and Sonja Madzikanda met and tied the knot in 2017 and separated in 2024, the same year that claims surfaced that the businessman had remarried.
Following the breakdown of the marriage, Madzikanda initially pursued a $25 million settlement and several other stakes in businesses they jointly built during their seven-year marriage. After failed attempts at an out-of-court resolution, the matter was taken before the court for determination. The court ultimately awarded her a revised settlement of $5 million as alimony for the dissolution of the marriage and the welfare of the children.
The ruling has since sparked wide public discussion online, with many social media users drawing comparisons to similar high-profile divorce cases across Africa. In Ghana, a recent case involving wealthy businessman Richard Nii Armah Quaye (RNAQ) and his ex-wife, Joana, reportedly resulted in the woman receiving less than one per cent of the alimony she had sought. The contrast between the two rulings has fuelled reactions from legal commentators and advocacy groups.
Beyond the $5 million awarded in the divorce settlement, Madzikanda has also filed a separate case seeking $40,000 monthly spousal maintenance until she remarries. She is further requesting a share of luxury assets, including three Rolls-Royces, a Lamborghini Urus, a Mercedes-Benz Maybach, and a private jet. Her claims also extend to several properties in Harare and a Sandton apartment in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The ruling also established clear co-parenting arrangements for the couple’s minor children. While Madzikanda was granted primary residence, the court outlined structured access for her estranged husband. According to Justice Tsanga, Wicknell is entitled to spend one uninterrupted week per month with the children, as well as all weekends and alternate public holidays.
In an unusual twist, reports indicate that Wicknell rewarded members of his legal team with luxury gifts, including 2026 Range Rover Sport cars and $50,000 each for their efforts in handling the case. The Zimbabwe case remains one of the most talked-about divorce rulings in recent months due to its scale, financial implications, and structured custody arrangements.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana had expressed strong concern over certain comments made in the High Court judgement involving Richard Nii Armah Quaye and his former wife, Joana. The group described the remarks made by the presiding official as inappropriate and inconsistent with gender-sensitive adjudication.
Key points
- A Zimbabwean High Court has ordered billionaire Wicknell Chivayo to pay his ex-wife $5 million and grant her a house in their divorce settlement.
- The divorce settlement has drawn widespread public attention and sparked conversations beyond Zimbabwe, with many social media users drawing comparisons to similar high-profile divorce cases across Africa.
- The ruling also established clear co-parenting arrangements for the couple’s minor children, with structured access for Wicknell.
