Zimbabwe's Wicknell Chivayo to pay ex-wife $5 million for upkeep

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has agreed to pay his ex-wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, $5 million for child maintenance.

The former couple have two children; one was born in 2018 and the other in 2019.

The dispute escalated to court in March 2026, when Chivayo filed a case seeking access to his children, alleging that Madzikanda, an accountant by profession, had denied him contact with the minors.

These restrictions allegedly included prohibiting Chivayo from visiting the children in school, receiving updates on their education, and restricting him from attending their special events.

Stringent conditions

Chivayo, 43, said that his former spouse had placed stringent conditions on him, demanding that she be paid millions of US dollars before he could have access to the children.

According to court papers, Madzikanda, 34, was seeking a lump sum payment of $25 million for child maintenance and a spousal upkeep of $40,000 per month until she remarries.

Madzikanda also petitioned the court to order Chivayo to surrender to her some luxury vehicles, including a Rolls Royce, a Lamborghini, and a Mercedes-Benz Maybach.

Additionally, Madzikanda laid partial claim to several residential and commercial property in Zimbabwe's capital Harare, as well as a high-end apartment in South Africa's Johannesburg city.

Chivayo says his marriage to Madzikanda was 'never registered'

Chivayo's former spouse also sought to be awarded shares in his logistics and petroleum companies.

Chivayo contested Madzikanda's demands, saying that his ex-wife did not contribute to his wealth creation.

The businessman further said that the customary union he and Madzikanda had in 2017 was "never formally registered with Zimbabwean authorities, and, therefore, it does not entitle her" to spousal support or a share of his estate.

Chivayo further told the court that it was Madzikanda who initiated separation from him in 2024.

Out-of-court settlement

The ex-wife's lawyers, however, challenged this argument, saying that in disputes over marital property or spousal upkeep, it does not matter which party initiates a separation.

Last week, Judge Amy Shupikai Tsanga of the High Court of Zimbabwe ruled that both Chivayo and Madzikanda had agreed to an out-of-court settlement on the matter.

According to Justice Tsanga, Chivayo agreed to pay $5 million to his ex-wife, with $2.2 million already settled.

The remaining $2.8 million will be paid within 30 days, from April 2, 2026.

Attention-drawing Chivayo

The ruling directed that the funds, which will be used for child maintenance, be deposited in a bank account controlled by Madzikanda, with Chivayo retaining oversight rights.

For his part, Chivayo will have access to the children on weekends, on his birthday, and during Father's Day.

The businessman has often drawn attention over his dealings, which Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa once described as questionable.

Nevertheless, Chivayo says he deals in energy and infrastructure development, telecommunications, petroleum, agriculture, and general logistics.