Supreme Court Orders NMB Founder And Anglican Bishop To Surrender Mansions To His EX-Wife

Prominent Zimbabwean banker, academic, and Anglican bishop Dr. Julius Tawona Makoni has lost his upmarket Chisipite property following a lengthy divorce battle with his former wife, Pauline Mutsa Makoni, reported The NewsHawks.

The mansion, located at No. 5 Rietfontein Close in Harare’s leafy Chisipite suburb, was at the centre of a legal dispute that spanned more than a decade and involved courts in both Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.

Makoni, who co-founded NMB Bank and served as its chief executive before becoming the Anglican Bishop of Manicaland, had been living at the house with his new wife. He separated from Pauline in October 2010 after 27 years of marriage.

In June 2011, Pauline filed for divorce in the UK, and a provisional decree was granted in December 2013. A final order was issued by the High Court of Justice (Family Division) in England in December 2014, including financial settlements and property awards.

Among the properties awarded to Pauline were the Chisipite mansion and a stand in Chishawasha Hills.

Makoni challenged the ruling in Zimbabwe, arguing that the UK court’s decision was unenforceable under local law and contrary to Zimbabwean public policy. In March 2023, the High Court in Harare ruled in his favour, declaring the UK order unenforceable.

Advocate Thabani Mpofu represented Pauline, while senior lawyer Welshman Ncube and Advocate Lewis Uriri appeared on behalf of Makoni.

However, Pauline appealed the High Court decision to the Supreme Court, where Justices Tendai Uchena and Alphas Chitakunye heard the matter in October 2023.

The court ruled in Pauline’s favour, allowing the appeal with costs and overturning the High Court decision. The ruling reinstated the UK divorce judgment, recognising it for enforcement in Zimbabwe.

The Supreme Court ordered Makoni to sign all necessary documents to transfer ownership of the Chisipite mansion and the Chishawasha Hills property to Pauline within seven days.

Should he fail to comply, the sheriff was authorised to effect the transfer on his behalf. Makoni was also ordered to bear the cost of the transfers and pay legal costs for both court applications.

Julius and Pauline were married under Christian rites on 31 December 1983 in Harare and had two daughters, born in 1985 and 1987. In 1996, Makoni fathered a son outside the marriage.

Makoni held several senior positions in global finance, including stints at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. and Bankers Trust in London. In 1994, he co-founded NMB Bank in Harare and served as its CEO until 2004.

He later moved to the UK, where he was involved in various financial ventures, including London Trust Bank and Greenjade Finance Ltd. He also acquired several high-end properties in London between 2002 and 2009.

In November 2009, he was appointed as the Anglican Bishop of Manicaland. However, by October 2010, his marriage to Pauline had collapsed.

The legal battle over the divorce and property settlements was conducted under English law, with both parties represented by experienced solicitors and barristers.

The Supreme Court’s decision now brings finality to the long-running saga and enforces the UK ruling, ensuring Pauline receives the properties awarded to her in the original settlement.