Businessman Wicknell Chivayo says he has withdrawn charges against his ex-wife Sonja Madzikanda and her mother Tabitha Madzikanda, citing forgiveness and the wellbeing of his children as the primary reason for his reversal.
Speaking during an interview with our news crew this morning, Chivayo said his children had been longing for their mother, prompting him to reconsider the legal fight.
“She’s the mother of my children, so I have forgiven her,” he said. “My kids have been calling, asking where mommy is. Once it involves my kids, I’m defeated because they are the people I love the most.”
However, Chivayo maintained that he does not regret the initial arrests, accusing his former mother-in-law of circulating fake images purporting to show him with Cyril Ramaphosa.
“For my mother-in-law to circulate fake pictures of President Ramaphosa and me, that was out of order. Citizens must respect Heads of State. That was uncalled for,” he said.
Despite the recent fallout, Chivayo said relations with the Madzikanda family had not completely collapsed because they share two children.
“Our relationship can never end. We have two children, and I will still be there for them. I have forgiven them, that’s why I’ve withdrawn the charges,” he added.
Addressing allegations of fraud linked to the dispute, Chivayo said no fraud had been committed but claimed his ex-wife and her mother attempted to use funds set aside for the children to purchase land worth US$1.4 million.
“According to the High Court order, we agreed that US$5 million is for my children’s investment. The money belongs to my kids, and I only play an oversight role,” he said. “For her to try and remove my name so they could go and build clusters was unacceptable.”
