Custody Battle Heats Up Between Ex-Spouses

Munyaradzi Mashiri | Court Correspondent

A father has defended himself against allegations of neglecting his children, telling the court that he has been paying their school fees and claiming that his ex-wife is unfit to care for them.

Ndaizivei Sagwande, the ex-wife of Stuart Chinhau, brought Chinhau before the Harare Civil Court, accusing him of abusing the children they share.

The matter was heard before magistrate Johanna Mukwesha.

Sagwande told the court that the couple separated in 2020, after which she went to South Africa, leaving the children in Chinhau’s custody. Upon her return to Zimbabwe, she said Chinhau’s family told her she had to provide for all the children’s needs.

“Our Grade 4 child’s teacher called me because she noticed the child was suffering from serious hunger. They were staying with their grandmother. I do not want my Grade 6 child to be distracted at school, especially with exams coming next year,” Sagwande said.

Chinhau, however, rejected the claims, insisting he has been a responsible father.

“I have receipts to prove that I am paying fees, yet she is alleging that I do not,” he said.

He further accused his ex-wife of mistreating the children.

“I went to her house and saw my seven-year-old molding bricks, Your Worship. She wants maintenance for the kids, yet she is not the one living with them. She is playing hide and seek,” Chinhau told the court.

Magistrate Mukwesha dismissed Sagwande’s application for a protection order, ruling that there was no evidence she was being harassed by Chinhau.