Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku
BRILLIANT Ncube, the flashy businessman behind the prestigious Kingdom Blue Funeral Services, has been convicted of contempt of court after failing to stick to a legal order compelling him to pay spousal maintenance.
The dapper funeral mogul, known for his international business flair, has been making quiet trips to the Bulawayo Magistrates Court, where he faced charges of defaulting on a court-ordered obligation to support his estranged wife Sibonguthando Ncube.
Appearing before Magistrate Beverly Madzikatire, Ncube was this past Thursday found guilty and sentenced to three months in jail—wholly suspended on condition he pays US$2 400 to Sibonguthando by 31 July.
In his defence, Ncube, through his lawyer, told the court that he had been paying maintenance, sometimes directly in cash. Sibonguthando admitted to having received US$3 200 from him.
The matter stems from a court order issued on 26 October 2023, under case number M282/23, which instructed Ncube to consistently pay spousal support.
According to the State, Ncube allegedly defaulted over several months, racking up US$6 550 in arrears.
However, under cross-examination, it was revealed that he had only missed payments for February and March 2025.
Sibonguthando also confirmed that she had, on occasion, received maintenance in the form of direct cash handovers.
The court, however, insisted that compliance with legal orders must be clear and documented, not informal or based on memory.
With a suspended sentence hanging over his head and a deadline to settle the outstanding US$2 400, Ncube will have to pay up or risk jail time.
