FORMER Warriors goalkeeper, Japhet Muparutsa, is set to part ways with his wife, Vivian, to whom he has been married for 17 years, accusing her of bedding other men.
BY CHARLES LAITON
Muparutsa and Vivian are currently based in the United Kingdom, but the “Shortcat” has filed for divorce in Zimbabwe, where they registered their marriage in November 1999.
“The plaintiff’s (Muparutsa) marriage with the defendant (Vivian) has irretrievably broken down to such an extent that there is no reasonable prospect of restoring a normal marriage relationship between them,” he said in his affidavit filed with the summons.
The former Dynamos Football Club goalkeeper also claimed that throughout their marriage, the couple had been completely incompatible with each other.
“Throughout the marriage, the defendant (Vivian) has consistently embarrassed the plaintiff by forming improper associations with other men,” he said, adding the couple had not shared a bedroom as husband and wife for over six years.
Muparutsa further said Vivian had been staying with another man, whose details he did not provide, in the UK since 2008.
According to the court papers, Muparutsa and Vivian acquired several properties, which include a residential property in Belvedere, Harare, and another one in Essex, the UK.
They also acquired several household goods and cars during the subsistence of their marriage.
In his claim, Muparutsa demands to be awarded ownership of the Belvedere house, while suggesting the one in UK be given to Vivian and for all the movable properties to be equally shared between them.
He claimed he bought the Belvedere house with his own resources after disposing another property he had from a previous marriage.
However, Vivian has challenged her husband’s claim, arguing she contributed 50% towards the purchase of the Belvedere house and urged the court to order its disposal and have the proceeds shared equally.
Vivian has also denied accusations of infidelity, challenging Muparutsa to prove his claims.
“Defendant consents to an order of divorce and prays for an order distributing the property . . . with each party paying its own costs,” she said.
The matter is set to be heard today before High Court judge, Justice Hlekani Mwayera.
Muparutsa has been rated one of the country’s finest footballers and has also co-authored a book, with Lot Chitakasha titled Japhet ‘Shortcat’ Muparutsa: My Story-Newsday
