FLAMBOYANT businessman Phillip Chiyangwa has written to the High Court requesting that his divorce case with wife Elizabeth be taken off the court roll as the couple is negotiating an out-of-court settlement.
CHIEF REPORTER
The $230 million divorce matter had been set down for hearing on June 13, before Justice Hlekani Mwayera.
In a May 29 letter by Chiyangwa’s lawyers, Scanlen and Holderness addressed to Justice Mwayera and the Registrar of the High Court, the former Zanu PF Chinhoyi MP said: “We request that this matter be removed from the roll with no order as to costs and will attend court only for purposes of ensuring its removal.”
The letter was copied to Elizabeth’s lawyers, Kantor and Immerman.
“The applicant and respondent are currently engaged in negotiations over the issues in dispute and we firmly believe that removal of this matter from the roll will ensure unhindered progress in the negotiations.”
A family spokesman yesterday told our sister paper NewsDay that Elizabeth was already back at her matrimonial home and the property tycoon is set to make a formal announcement which would likely be followed by fresh wedding vows.
“I confirm that the divorce is no longer proceeding,” a family spokesperson who declined to be named said.
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“There will be another renewal of vows and you will be invited. Mrs Chiyangwa is now back home.”
Elizabeth had sought to divorce the Native Investments Africa Group founder over alleged infidelity and demanded a lion’s share of the family’s $230 million-rich estate.
But Chinyangwa objected to the divorce accusing Elizabeth’s lawyers of incompetence for listing some properties that do not belong to him without verifying.
The outspoken businessman refused to meet the $350 000 legal bill by his estranged wife’s lawyers.
At one time Elizabeth demanded $1 million once-off maintenance and $85 000 monthly for her upkeep pending determination of their divorce case.
She also asked for $360 000 to replace her current fleet of vehicles and $350 000 to cover the legal costs in the divorce proceedings.
Elizabeth also wanted $100 000 to replace her current clothing, jewellery and shoes, another $100 000 to buy new household furniture and a once-off payment of $100 000, which she would use as relocation allowance.
