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Tsvangirai, Lorcadia case takes new twist

News
Tsvangirai and his ex-lover Lorcadia Tembo yesterday agreed to have her maintenance claim postponed indefinitely to resolve the matter outside the courts.

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his ex-lover Lorcadia Karimatsenga–Tembo yesterday agreed to have her $15 000 maintenance claim postponed indefinitely after the parties consented to resolve the matter without the involvement of the courts.

Report by Charles Laiton

The couple’s lawyers, however, remained mum on the maintenance amount that Tsvangirai and Karimatsenga might have agreed on, which resulted in the agreement.

Addressing provincial magistrate Reuben Mukavi, Karimatsenga’s lawyer Everson Samukange told the court that deliberations on the maintenance impasse were at an advanced stage.

“We were of the view that this maintenance file be held in abeyance to allow the completion of the process. Should there be any need to come and appear before you, which I suppose is very unlikely, Your Worship will be advised,” Samukange said.

Asked by the magistrate if Karimatsenga was withdrawing the matter, Samukange said: “No, but we are seeking the postponement of the matter sine die (indefinitely).”

Tsvangirai’s lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu concurred with Samukange’s submissions and told the court that the parties had managed to identify the “root of the problem” which they apparently intended to deal with without the involvement of the courts.

“We have identified the root of the problem and we have come to the pith of the matter and upon resolution, the applicant will then withdraw the case,” Mpofu said.

“At the moment there are certain issues to be sorted out by both parties as the discussions are at the horizon. We, therefore, expect the finalisation today (yesterday). I am in agreement with my learned friend’s submissions because at this stage indications are that we will not come back before this court.”

Karimatsenga was confirmed Tsvangirai’s customary wife by the courts and she thwarted Tsvangirai’s wedding to his current wife Elizabeth Macheka in September, through several court applications.

Karimatsenga is reported to have claimed she did not have reservations with Tsvangirai taking a second wife as long she was recognised as the first wife in terms of customary law.