High Court Finalises Chivayo Divorce, Sonja Gets US$5 Million Settlement

The long-running divorce battle involving controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his former wife Sonja Madzikanda has officially come to an end after the High Court of Zimbabwe approved a multimillion-dollar settlement.

According to court papers, Madzikanda will receive US$5 million as part of the divorce agreement, bringing closure to one of Zimbabwe’s most closely followed matrimonial disputes.

The court confirmed that US$2.2 million has already been paid. The outstanding US$2.8 million must be settled within 30 days.

The agreement represents the final resolution of all financial claims between the parties.

The ruling formally dissolves the marriage and ends months of legal wrangling that had captured public attention due to the staggering sums involved.

From Mega Claim to Negotiated Settlement

Earlier proceedings saw Madzikanda reportedly seeking a far larger settlement that included a multimillion-dollar payout, luxury assets and ongoing maintenance.

However, legal arguments centred on the nature of the marriage — particularly whether it constituted a fully recognised civil union or an unregistered customary marriage — ultimately shaped the outcome.

The High Court endorsed a negotiated settlement rather than granting the initial claims in full.

The divorce dominated social and legal discourse in Zimbabwe, largely because of Chivayo’s high-profile lifestyle and frequent public displays of wealth, which fuelled speculation around asset division and spousal entitlement.

Legal analysts say the case highlights growing scrutiny around:

Property rights within marriages, recognition of customary unions, and financial settlements in high-value divorces.

With the court order now finalised, both parties are legally divorced, closing a chapter that blended celebrity intrigue, legal debate and public fascination.

The settlement stands as one of the most high-value divorce resolutions publicly confirmed in Zimbabwean courts in recent years.