THE stage is set for a divorce battle royale between the late former president Robert Mugabe’s daughter Bona Nyepudzai Ouma and son-in-law Simbarashe Mutsahuni (Chikore) who has entered an appearance to defend following Bona’s recent summons — meaning it is a contested divorce.
Chikore has filed a notice of entry of appearance to defend Bona’s court action.
Bona filed court papers in early March seeking an order for a decree to divorce her husband of nine years on the grounds that their marriage has irretrievably broken down with no prospect of restoration.
But in papers filed at the High Court in Harare, Chikore has indicated his desire to challenge Bona’s court actions, saying: “Be pleased to take notice that on the 22nd day of March 2023 the defendant entered an appearance to defend the above action.”
Bona and Simba married in 2014 at a glamorous ceremony attended by the political and business elite in Harare and outside the country.
According to Bona, the parties have lost all love and affection for each other and have been living apart for a period in excess of nine months.
The couple has three children aged seven, five and two.
Bona is claiming custody of the children, arguing: “It is in the best interests of the minor children that the Plaintiff is given full custody of the children with the Defendant being granted access to them every alternating weekend from Saturday between 8am to Sunday 5pm agreed in advance at agreed places.”
Bona and Simba are now locked in intense negotiations on property sharing, setting the stage for a dramatic and messy divorce which Bona is desperate to avoid to protect her name and family reputation. — STAFF WRITER
