Former health deputy minister Edwin Muguti’s marriage has been dissolved by the High Court after his wife filed for divorce in 2019.
NewZimbabwe.com reported that Muguti’s ex-wife, Tapiwa Mercy Mukandi, accused the former government official of having an extra-marital affair.
Mukandi averred there were no chances of reconciliation but Muguti wanted to keep the marriage.
Harare High Court judge, Justice Amy Tsanga, granted the relief sought by Mukandi also awarding her custody of the couple’s minor child. Ruled Justice Tsanga:
Whereupon after reading documents filed of record, examining the plaintiff and hearing counsel, who applies for a decree of divorce and other relief on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown under the provisions of Section 5 of the Matrimonial Causes Act (Chapter 5:13), it is ordered that:
A decree of divorce be and is hereby granted.
Maintenance for a minor child (name supplied) shall be regulated by the order of the Maintenance Court granted on the 16th of July 2019 under Case Number M2673/19.
Custody of a minor child shall be with the plaintiff and the defendant being afforded reasonable access rights to the child during alternate weekends, public holidays and two weeks during school holidays at his own expense.
Mukandi demanded to be awarded 100% share of the couple’s Vainona property and a stand in Manresa measuring 4 000 square meters, among other properties.
However, Muguti opposed the demands saying what she wanted in shares was not due to her.
He said he acquired the Vainona stand on his own using proceeds from his previous divorce settlement.
Muguti also stated that he acquired the property independent of Mukandi for the benefit of his second wife and children from his second marriage.
The parties signed a consent on the 15th of December 2022 and filed early this year agreeing on their differences.