“I Suffered For Long”: Chivayo Celebrates High Court Ruling On Child Access

Wicknell Chivayo is celebrating a recent High Court ruling granting him access to his two minor children with his ex-wife, Sonja Madzikanda.

Posting on social media on Monday, 13 April, Chivayo said he had “suffered for long” as Madzikanda had denied him access to their children. He also shared photographs of himself with the children and his new wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke, at their rural home.

Chivayo mocked Madzikanda, writing: “High Court inonzi Chiranga Mapenzi”—which literally translates to “The High Court is the place where the foolish are disciplined.”

This follows a ruling by Justice Amy Shupikai Tsanga on 2 April 2026, who granted Chivayo’s urgent chamber application filed in March. He had accused Madzikanda of systematically denying him access to their two children, born in January 2018 and March 2019.

In his founding affidavit, Chivayo alleged that Madzikanda had “systematically and unilaterally” withheld access unless he complied with financial demands, most recently on 28 February 2026. He described the situation as the “extortionate weaponisation of the children.”

“The weaponisation of the children and the restriction of my access to them have caused me great concern and anguish and collaterally affected the well-being of the children,” Chivayo said under oath.

He said the denial of access had included blocking telephone contact, withholding school information, and preventing him from attending school and social events.

Under the consent order, the children’s primary residence was awarded to Sonja Madzikanda, while both parties retain full parental responsibilities and rights.

Chivayo is entitled to collect the children every Friday after school and return them on Sunday evening, as well as one uninterrupted week per school month on dates agreed in advance. He must be personally available during access periods and may not delegate parental responsibilities to third parties.

The court order records that US$2.2 million of the agreed US$5 million maintenance sum has already been invested, with the remaining US$2.8 million to be paid into the same investment accounts within 30 days. Madzikanda will control the bank account, while Chivayo retains oversight.

For the first 12 months, Chivayo will personally cover all reasonable living expenses of the children while the investment portfolio is established. Neither party may remove the children from Zimbabwe without the other’s prior consent.

The access dispute is a sideshow to a much larger and more contentious battle over the dissolution of the union and the division of assets, which continues under case number HCHF 62/2026.

In his social media post on Monday, Chivayo praised Justice Tsanga for ruling in his favour and pledged “to climb mountains and pray that God grants her long life.”

He also thanked his lawyers, Sikhumbuzo and Edley, and gave each a new 2026 Range Rover Sport along with US$50,000 “for fuel.”