daniel chigunwe
Fidelis Munyoro
Chief Court Reporter
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 ruling recognising both financial input and the intangible sacrifices that support a shared life.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Emy Tsanga, marks the conclusion of a tumultuous chapter in their shared journey, one built on love, ambition, and sacrifice.
The couple’s story began in 2013 at the bustling Gulf Complex in Harare, where Kadiyo, a spirited shoe vendor, and Naison, a savvy cellphone dealer, first crossed paths.
Sparks of romance quickly ignited amidst the lively buzz of commerce, and by 2014, they had decided to cohabit.
Their union seemed destined for success, blending their personal lives with entrepreneurial aspirations.
A year later, in 2015, Kadiyo became pregnant with their first child and chose to step away from her work at the Gulf Complex.
She poured her savings, a modest US$500, into Naison’ s cellphone business, a decision that would later define the stakes of their separation.
As profits began to grow, the couple moved into a flat in Harare’s Avenues area and secured a US$35,000 consignment of phones from a Chinese supplier. Together, they built a life of shared dreams and ventures.
During their marriage, their joint efforts bore fruit, they bought a property in Haydon Park, which they eventually sold for US$65 000, and acquired a Honda Fit.
But as the years passed, cracks began to form in their union.
Misunderstandings escalated, leading to their separation in March 2023. Kadiyo walked away with nothing, leaving behind a cellphone stock she estimated to be worth close to US$40 000—a claim that would later form the heart of her legal battle.
In her claim, Kadiyo argued that her financial contributions and sacrifices made her an equal partner in their shared ventures. Kudakwashe, however, denied the existence of any business partnership, maintaining that he was still repaying the loan to their Chinese supplier.
He also claimed to have left Kadiyo the Honda Fit and supported her in starting a wig business after their separation.
Justice Tsanga, however, saw beyond Naison’s defence, saying Kadiyo was entitled to her share of their marital assets.
“Even if the court accepts that they were not in a business partnership, he cannot escape the obvious reality that she owned half of what they considered to be the marital home,” ruled Justice Tsanga.
The court found it unfair for Naison to have used the proceeds from the sale of their jointly owned property to cover his personal business debts.
The judgment ordered Kudakwashe to pay Kadiyo her rightful share of US$32 500 within six months or any other period mutually agreed upon in writing.
The settlement represents her half share of the proceeds from the sale of Stand 3239, Haydon Farm, a property spanning 877 square metres that the couple had once called their own.
For Kadiyo, the decision not only secures financial restitution but also affirms her place as an equal partner in a journey marked by both love and loss.
Online Reporter
