Sibusisiwe Melody Marapira, wife of deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Davis Marapira, has approached the High Court seeking a divorce, citing alleged abuse, infidelity and threats during their marriage.
Court papers filed in the Family Division of the High Court in Harare on April 17, 2026, describe the marriage as having irretrievably broken down due to irreconcilable differences and a pattern of alleged misconduct by the deputy minister.
In her declaration, Sibusisiwe accuses Marapira of subjecting her to physical, emotional and financial abuse throughout their relationship. She further claims he made threats against her life and treated her in a cruel and degrading manner.
The divorce application also alleges that Marapira engaged in affairs with several women during the course of the marriage and had reportedly entered into a customary union with one of them.
Sibusisiwe, daughter of Zion Christian Church leader Bishop Samuel Mutendi, married Marapira on September 7, 2013, in Masvingo under the Marriages Act. The couple has three children born in 2008, 2012 and 2014, with two still under the age of majority.
In her application, she is seeking sole custody of the minor children while proposing that Marapira be granted visitation rights at his own cost. The proposed arrangements include telephone communication, access during selected school holidays and alternating public holidays.
She is also requesting monthly child maintenance of US$500 per child, payment of all educational costs through Advanced Level, assistance with tertiary education where necessary, continued medical aid cover and annual holiday expenses for the children.
Although she cites financial abuse among her complaints, Sibusisiwe states that she is financially independent and is not applying for spousal maintenance.
According to the court documents, the couple accumulated several assets during the marriage. These include Lammote Farm, a 426-hectare property in Masvingo, Stand 4 Clipsham Township A in Masvingo, and the matrimonial home situated at 589 Campbell Road in Borrowdale, Harare.
The papers further state that Marapira benefits from additional government-allocated properties, including a farm in Beatrice and houses in Borrowdale and Masvingo.
Sibusisiwe is seeking ownership of the Borrowdale residence as well as half of Lammote Farm. Under her proposed distribution, Marapira would retain the Clipsham Township property, his share of the farm and the government-issued properties.
The application also lists movable property acquired during the marriage, including a Land Rover Defender, Ford Ranger, Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Navara, along with household goods, farm machinery, livestock and a dairy operation. She is requesting an equal division of several of those assets.
Sibusisiwe is being represented in the matter by Danana Mharapara Attorneys.
