Wicknell Chivayo seeks urgent court order over frozen South African assets

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has approached the High Court of Zimbabwe seeking an urgent order compelling his estranged wife to withdraw legal proceedings filed in South Africa, where several of his company assets and bank accounts have reportedly been frozen. According to court documents, Chivayo argues that the South African anti-dissipation order has crippled his businesses and affected his ability to meet financial obligations, including child maintenance payments.

Court papers state that Chivayo and his former wife were married under customary law before their union allegedly ended in 2024 following the payment and acceptance of gupuro, a traditional divorce token. The documents indicate that the parties previously resolved issues relating to the maintenance of their minor children through a consent order under case number HCHF/892/26.

However, in a separate matter filed under HCHF/62/26, the respondent is reportedly seeking relief based on claims that a marriage or civil partnership existed between the parties.

The claims allegedly include:

• dissolution of marriage,

• declaration and dissolution of a civil partnership,

• spousal maintenance,

• and division of assets.

According to the application, the respondent used the pending Zimbabwean case to seek anti-dissipation relief in South African courts against bank accounts and assets linked to companies controlled by Chivayo. The application states that the High Court of South Africa granted an ex parte anti-dissipation order, leading to the freezing of company bank accounts and the grounding of a private jet allegedly owned by Chivayo-linked entities. Although the order reportedly lapsed temporarily, court papers say it was reinstated on April 23, 2026.

Chivayo argues that the reinstated order has severely disrupted business operations.

“The effect of the resuscitation of the anti-dissipation order is to cripple Applicant’s entities in that they are unable to function in the ordinary course,” the application states.

The filing claims the freeze has made it difficult for the companies to pay salaries, rent and taxes.

It further argues that Chivayo is now struggling to comply with court-ordered maintenance obligations, placing him at risk of contempt of court proceedings. The application also claims the situation is prejudicing the couple’s children, whose welfare is tied to the maintenance arrangements.

Chivayo is now seeking dismissal of the pending matrimonial matter under case number HCHF/1764/26, arguing that it is “frivolous and vexatious.” He contends that resolving the case urgently is the only way to remove the anti-dissipation measures currently affecting his businesses and assets. Legal analyst Advocate Thabani Mpofu said cross-border matrimonial disputes involving asset freezes are often highly complex.

“Once foreign courts become involved, especially in financial preservation matters, the legal and commercial consequences can be significant,” he said.

The latest developments add to mounting scrutiny surrounding Chivayo, who has faced public attention over business dealings and political associations in both Zimbabwe and South Africa. The High Court is expected to determine whether the matter qualifies for an urgent hearing.

Wicknell Chivayo court case