Woman awarded US$32,500 in landmark divorce settlement

 A Harare woman, Letwin Kadiyo, has been awarded US$32,500 as a divorce settlement from her husband of 10 years, Kudakwashe Naison, in a court ruling that recognised both financial contributions and intangible sacrifices in their marriage.

Justice Emy Tsanga delivered the judgment, concluding a decade-long partnership built on love, ambition, and shared business ventures.

Kadiyo and Naison's journey began in 2013 at Harare's Gulf Complex, where she worked as a shoe vendor and he as a cellphone dealer. Their romance blossomed, leading to cohabitation in 2014 and the birth of their first child in 2015.

With family priorities taking precedence, Kadiyo left her shoe business and invested her savings—US$500—into Naison's cellphone venture. Their joint efforts bore fruit, enabling them to move into a flat in Harare's Avenues area and secure a US$35,000 phone consignment from a Chinese supplier.

Their financial growth saw them acquire a property in Haydon Park, later sold for US$65,000, and a Honda Fit.

However, cracks in their marriage emerged, leading to their separation in March 2023. Kadiyo left with nothing, despite claiming that their cellphone stock was worth nearly US$40,000 at the time of their split.

Kadiyo argued in court that her financial contributions and sacrifices made her an equal partner in their accumulated wealth. Naison, however, denied any business partnership, claiming he was still repaying the Chinese supplier and had allowed Kadiyo to keep the Honda Fit while supporting her wig business after their separation.

Justice Tsanga ruled in Kadiyo's favour, affirming that even if no formal business partnership existed, she had an equal stake in their marital property.

"The court cannot ignore the obvious reality that she owned half of what they considered to be the marital home," the judge stated.

Naison was found to have unfairly used proceeds from their jointly owned property to settle personal business debts.

The court ordered Naison to pay Kadiyo US$32,500 within six months or another mutually agreed period. The amount represents her rightful share of the proceeds from the sale of Stand 3239, Haydon Farm, a property measuring 877 square metres.

For Kadiyo, the ruling is more than financial restitution—it affirms her equal role in the relationship and its shared successes.