Woman left stranded as ex-hubby buys her out of house

A Gweru woman is in a quandary after her ex-husband successfully reclaimed their shared home after a protracted legal battle.

The woman, Ms Mable Zulu and her three children were left without a place to stay when her ex-husband, Mr Lovemore Dhlakama approached the court to regain possession of the house following their divorce which was marred by allegations of infidelity.

The couple that had been married for 27 years, decided to part ways in 2022 after Mr Dhlakama suspected Ms Zulu of having an extra-marital affair.

After their separation, Mr Dhlakama married another woman and moved to a rented home in Lundi Park suburb, leaving Ms Zulu and their children at the house they had built together in Mkoba Village 5.

Mr Dhlakama, however, decided to reclaim the house and share all the other assets that they acquired during the subsistence of their marriage and took the legal route.

Ms Zulu, however, contested the ruling at the Gweru Magistrates Court, but despite a protracted legal battle, she ultimately lost the case to her ex-husband.

The court ruled that the house, valued at US$20 000, should be sold, with the possibility of either party buying the other one out.

Mr Dhlakama mobilised resources and offered Ms Zulu US$10 000 over a period of four months on condition Ms  Zulu should vacate the house after full payment.

All hell broke loose on Thursday morning when Ms Zulu woke up to the arrival of a Messenger of Court vehicle and a truck which had come to enforce the court order that had divided the property and the house among the two warring parties was effected.

Overwhelmed by emotions, Ms Zulu struggled to hold back tears as she recounted her ordeal in an interview with Sunday News.

“I couldn’t believe that the man I spent 27 years with could do this to me,” Ms Zulu tearfully expressed.

“He concocted a story in 2022, accusing me of infidelity, allegations he failed to prove. He decided to marry another woman, leaving me to struggle alone with our family,” she said.

“Now, the court has ruled in his favour, and we have to sell the house we built together. I am unemployed, while he is working, so he opted to buy me out of the house, allowing him to live there with his new wife,” she said.

Ms Zulu recounted the hardships she endured throughout the years, striving to provide for their family while her ex-husband enjoyed a new life with his new partner.

In a WhatsApp voice note sent by Mr Dhlakama to their daughter, Precious, when asked where they would live, he stated, “I told you long ago that I would reclaim my property, which I worked hard for.

“I have no idea where you will stay and I will not live with you because I am married to someone else now.”

Attempts to reach Mr Dhlakama for a comment were unsuccessful, as he referred questions to his lawyers, Pundu and Company, who could not be reached for comment.

Ms Zulu is living with her two children, and the last one is still going to school.