Memory and Celestino Kanyekanye Divorce Case Finally Concludes

The Supreme Court has delivered its ruling in the protracted divorce case between Memory Kanyekanye (née Sithole) and Celestino Chenjerai Kanyekanye, marking the end of one of Zimbabwe’s most widely followed matrimonial disputes in recent years.

The judgment, issued in chambers by Justice George Chiweshe on October 1, 2025, came after Sithole appealed a previous High Court decision concerning the division of matrimonial property and child custody arrangements.

Represented by Choice Damiso, Sithole applied for condonation and an extension of time to pursue her appeal, arguing that the case raised key issues regarding the recognition of both financial and non-financial contributions within marriage. R.G. Zhuwarara appeared on behalf of Kanyekanye.

At the centre of the dispute was the couple’s Borrowdale home, which Sithole claimed was established and maintained through joint effort during their 18-year marriage. She asserted that her management of family finances, child-rearing responsibilities, and household support amounted to significant indirect contributions that should be legally acknowledged.

While the Supreme Court ultimately upheld the High Court’s ruling, it recognised the complexity of asset division in long-term marriages. The court reaffirmed the principles set out under the Matrimonial Causes Act and precedents such as Takafuma v Takafuma, which guide equitable distribution of matrimonial property.

Legal commentators note that recent High Court judgments have increasingly acknowledged non-financial contributions — including domestic work, emotional support, and family management — as legitimate factors in determining property division.

The court also maintained that custody decisions were made in the best interests of the minor child, observing that both parents had shown care and commitment throughout the proceedings.

Sithole’s case has reignited national debate over how Zimbabwean courts treat non-financial spousal contributions, highlighting the evolving recognition of diverse forms of labour that sustain marriages and family wealth.