adminThe two last week requested the court to give them time to try out an out-of-court settlement, but the talks collapsed after the parties failed to agree on figures.
Harare magistrate Mr Reuben Mukavhi had indefinitely deferred the court case in which Ms Karimatsenga is claiming the monthly maintenance.
A day after the deferment, Ms Karimatsenga’s lawyer Mr Everson Samukange of Venturas and Samukange law firm said there was a stalemate.
The registrar at the Harare Civil Court has reset the matter for Tuesday at 8:30am.
Mr Jonathan Samukange, whose firm represents Ms Karimatsenga, confirmed the set down date. He said the parties had haggled over the figures for a once-off maintenance payment to be made to Ms Karimatsenga, but failed to agree.
“Yes, the matter was reset down for 31 October and we have a copy of the notice of set down,” said Mr Samukange.
“The parties are failing to agree on the quantum for a once-off maintenance payment.
“I cannot disclose the figures.”
Sources last week said Ms Karimatsenga was claiming a once-off payment of $500 000, while PM Tsvangirai was offering $200 000.
Advocate Thabani Mpofu, who is representing PM Tsvangirai, yesterday said he was not yet aware of the fresh set down date for the maintenance claim.
Adv Mpofu also refused to comment on the failure to craft an out-of-court settlement.
Ms Karimatsenga wants the PM to contribute towards her upkeep and accessories, as she has been accustomed to. In her claim, she says that she is customarily married to PM Tsvangirai after he paid lobola to her parents in November last year.
In terms of African custom, Ms Karimatsenga claimed, she was sent to PM Tsvangirai’s village in Buhera where she stayed with his mother for about two months. PM Tsvangirai, said Ms Karimatsenga, later requested her to rejoin him in Harare after he had found accommodation.
Ms Karimatsenga claims that she later had some pregnancy complications and went to South Africa for treatment.
She further claims that when she recovered from a subsequent miscarriage, she returned home only to find that the matrimonial home they were leasing was locked up and all the furniture had been removed.
She said she was unable to contact PM Tsvangirai and as a result approached his uncle who had been representing him during the marriage negotiations.
The PM then promised to talk to her. Ms Karimatsenga said she stayed with PM Tsvangirai’s uncle for four days before she went back for medical review in South Africa.
She was forced to take the PM to court after he ignored letters to settle the matter out of court. PM Tsvangirai has not yet filed papers opposing the maintenance claim.
But he is expected to tender his response to the claim when the hearing starts on Tuesday.
Online Reporter