The acrimonious divorce between former Zimbabwe Warriors captain Tinashe Nengomasha and Samantha Mtukudzi, daughter of the late music legend Oliver Mtukudzi, continues to unfold in the courts.
The latest chapter in this high-profile case centres on a dispute over the valuation of their Hillside property, a disagreement that has stalled the sale of the family home.
The couple’s divorce was officially finalised in May 2023 by High Court Judge Justice Neville WaMambo, who granted Nengomasha custody of their two minor children. Samantha, who initiated the divorce proceedings in December 2018 citing irreconcilable differences and prolonged separation, had initially sought full custody.
However, the court awarded her access to the children every weekend, during public holidays, and for half of each school holiday.
The court order mandated the sale of their Hillside residence and an equal division of the proceeds. However, the couple has been unable to agree on a valuation for the property, leading to further legal battles.
Nengomasha has filed an urgent chamber application, seeking to prevent Samantha from selling the house, alleging that she is intentionally undervaluing the property to obstruct a fair sale.
Adding to the complexities of the already strained situation, Nengomasha accuses Samantha of neglecting their children and failing to meet her court-ordered maintenance payments of US$50 per child, per month.
Samantha, in her divorce petition, had also sought a share of the couple’s assets, including furniture, salon equipment, cars, and gym equipment located in their homes in Harare and South Africa.
She also specifically requested custody of their Maltese dog, Alvin Jazz. The court’s final decision on the distribution of assets included awarding Nengomasha two vehicles, while Samantha received the salon equipment and the Maltese dog.
The initial divorce petition, filed by Samantha in December 2018, detailed the breakdown of the marriage and the long period of separation preceding the legal action. In 2021, she amended her summons to include a request for custody of their pet dog.
Nengomasha challenged the divorce, but Justice WaMambo ruled that reconciliation was impossible. The judge’s decision to grant Nengomasha custody of the children is a significant aspect of the ongoing legal battle.
The disagreement over the Hillside property’s value is just the latest development in a series of disputes that have plagued the couple’s separation. The case highlights the often-complex and emotionally charged nature of high-profile divorces, particularly when children and substantial assets are involved.
While Samantha’s marriage has ended in a protracted and public legal battle, a stark contrast exists within her family. Her half-sister, Selmor Mtukudzi, is celebrating her 17th wedding anniversary with Tendai Manatsa, son of the late celebrated musician Zex Manatsa.
This juxtaposition highlights the vastly different experiences within one family, emphasising the unpredictable nature of relationships and the diverse paths individuals take.
The ongoing legal battles between Nengomasha and Mtukudzi continue to attract considerable public attention, given the public profile of both parties and the legacy of Oliver Mtukudzi. Coincidentally, the divorce saga takes a new twist at a time the Mtukudzi family is under public scrutiny following the interview by Selmor and her elder sister Sandra Mtukudzi who recently exposed their stepmother Daisy’s alleged ill-treatment against them.
