Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo says he is relieved after the High Court in Harare granted him structured access to his two children, bringing partial closure to a long-running and highly publicised custody dispute with estranged wife Sonja Louise Madzikanda.
By Advent Shoko
The ruling, handed down through a consent order before Justice Amy Tsanga, directs Chivayo to pay a once-off US$5 million maintenance package as part of the settlement. Court records show that US$2.2 million has already been paid, while the remaining US$2.8 million must be settled within 30 days.
Under the agreement, Madzikanda retains primary residence and custody of the minor children, while both parties continue to hold full parental rights and responsibilities. Chivayo has been granted one uninterrupted week with the children each school month, weekend access, alternate public holidays, and special access on occasions such as Father’s Day and his birthday, all subject to the children’s wellbeing and routine.
In a celebratory social media post after the ruling, Chivayo described the judgment as a major emotional relief after what he said had been a painful period of separation from his children. He said:
“What an amazing Sunday it was… tiri kumusha kwedu ne mukadzi wangu ne vana vangu… I suffered for long missing my children.”
He also publicly thanked the court and praised his legal team, Sikhumbuzo Mpofu and Edley Mubaiwa, saying they had delivered justice.
In typical flamboyant fashion, Chivayo said he would reward the two lawyers with a brand-new 2026 Range Rover Sport each, valued at around US$250,000, plus US$50,000 cash each.
This latest development follows earlier tensions in the dispute, after Madzikanda had accused Chivayo of delaying resolution while Chivayo alleged that access to the children had at times been linked to financial demands. Court filings from the urgent application indicate he described the situation as the “extortionate weaponisation of the children.”
The case has since fuelled widespread public speculation, with some observers openly questioning whether the size of the US$5 million settlement reflects more than just child maintenance and custody arrangements. However, no court document supports claims about any alleged “secrets,” and such commentary remains purely speculative. The official court order frames the payment strictly as part of a consent agreement on maintenance, living expenses, and co-parenting arrangements.
The broader divorce battle is far from over. Madzikanda is pursuing a US$25 million divorce settlement claim, alongside demands for luxury vehicles, properties, and other assets, all of which are expected to be dealt with under a separate case.
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