A high-profile divorce case has shaken Harare’s business circles after prominent entrepreneur Abigail Makono was ordered by the High Court to pay her former husband, Charles Makono, a staggering US$600,000 as part of their divorce settlement. The ruling, delivered by Justice Regis Dembure, marks one of the most significant divorce-related financial judgments in recent years, drawing attention to both the size of the settlement and the ensuing legal fallout.
According to court documents, the couple’s once-flourishing marriage collapsed “like a pack of cards,” spiraling into a bitter dispute over property and financial entitlements. Charles Makono, a former police officer, successfully obtained a writ of execution after his ex-wife failed to comply with the court’s financial order. The writ authorizes the attachment of a prime commercial property located at Number 78 Kaguvi Street, one of Harare’s busy business zones.
The property attachment represents a significant escalation in the ongoing legal standoff, as the former husband moves to recover the unpaid settlement amount. The US$600,000 payment was originally stipulated in a formal agreement reached on January 1, 2025, which Abigail Makono allegedly failed to honor within the required timeframe.
Legal analysts note that the ruling underscores the strict enforcement of property and financial obligations in divorce cases, particularly when substantial business assets are involved. The development has become a hot topic in both business and legal circles, with many viewing it as a cautionary tale for couples with shared commercial ventures.
While neither party has publicly commented on the matter, sources close to the case indicate that further legal proceedings could follow if the property sale fails to settle the outstanding amount.
The case not only highlights the complexities of high-value divorce settlements but also serves as a reminder of how personal and business interests often intertwine — and unravel — in Zimbabwe’s growing entrepreneurial community.rital property disputes in Zimbabwe.
