HARARE – The Harare High Court has granted a decree of divorce to Doreen Sekai Chichetu and Gilbert Muzuva, following their separation after nearly 19 years of marriage. The case, heard by Judge Wamambo, resolved key issues around custody, maintenance, and property distribution.
The parties, married in 2006, have two children: an adult daughter studying in Poland and a minor child, whose custody was fiercely contested. Despite the plaintiff’s argument that the mother’s psychological support is vital, the court awarded custody of the minor child to Muzuva. The judge found that Muzuva’s presence and care during the mother’s extended absence abroad served the child’s best interests.
Muzuva, a seafarer often away for work, was deemed sufficiently accessible and capable of caring for the child. The court noted the mother’s prior abandonment of the minor child when she moved to the United Kingdom, weakening her custody claim.
Regarding maintenance, the court ordered Muzuva to contribute 50% of the adult daughter’s tertiary education fees, rejecting the plaintiff’s claim for maintenance for the minor child.
The court also approved a consent paper outlining the division of the couple’s properties and mining claims, and directed the parties to agree on reasonable access arrangements for the plaintiff to visit the minor child.
Each party will bear their own legal costs.
