Chivayo Ordered To Pay US$5 Million To Sonja

The High Court has concluded the divorce proceedings between Wicknell Chivayo and his estranged wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, bringing an end to a protracted legal battle that often played out in the public eye.

The settlement, granted by consent before Justice Amy Tsanga on Thursday, includes a US$5 million maintenance package and a comprehensive parenting plan for the couple’s minor children.

Under the terms of the agreement, Chivayo is required to pay a lump sum of US$5 million into a bank account controlled by Madzikanda, although he will retain oversight of the account’s operations.

The settlement specifies that US$2.2 million has already been paid, with the remaining US$2.8 million to be settled within 30 days.

“The respondent shall pay for all the living expenses of the minor children from the proceeds of the investment amounts receivable,” ruled Justice Tsanga.

“The parties record that for a period of 12 months from the date of the transfer, the applicant (Chivayo) shall solely be responsible for all reasonable living expenses of the minor children, to enable the respondent to establish and build the investment portfolio.

“Upon expiry of the said 12 months, the parties agree that the reasonable living expenses of the minor children shall, to the extent possible, be funded from the returns and/or profits generated from the investment, provided that such returns are sufficient to meet the expenses.”

Madzikanda was awarded primary residence of the children, while Chivayo is entitled to one uninterrupted week of access each month, all weekends, and alternate public holidays.

A specific clause in the order stipulates that during his week of access, Chivayo must be personally available and present and is prohibited from delegating his parental responsibilities to third parties.

“The applicant shall be entitled, on his birthday, to have contact with the minor children if that day does not fall on the weekend when the applicant is entitled to contact and access,” said Justice Tsanga.

“The minor children shall spend Father’s Day with the applicant. If Father’s Day does not fall over the applicant’s scheduled weekend, the applicant may collect the minor children on Father’s Day and drop them at the respondent’s residence by the end of the day.”

Regarding the division of assets, the court ruled that the proprietary consequences of the dissolution of the union will be determined in a separate case, HCHF 62/2026. Both parties were ordered to bear their own legal costs.

More: The Herald