Divorce court rules in favour of wife after 30 years of dedicated service to her husband. A 58-year-old woman has triumphed in her quest for justice after devoting more than three decades to caring for her husband and his family. The ruling, delivered by Judge Pieter Bezuidenhout, recognised the wife’s devotion and sacrifices, countering her husband’s perceived entitlement to keep his wealth unaided by the commitment of their shared life together.
The wife, who testified at the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg, painted a picture of a marriage marred by her husband’s unwillingness to share financial responsibilities. Despite her integral role in his business and the rearing of his young daughter from a previous relationship, she stood at the brink of financial hardship following their divorce. The ordeal began when the husband, now 70, adopted a steadfast belief that his wife should have made independent financial provisions for herself, neglecting the fact that their union was defined by her unwavering dedication.
She began working for her husband as a receptionist in 1987, immediately after completing Grade 10 at the age of 18. Her duties, which included reception and typing, supported her husband’s work as an attorney specialising in legal and conveyancing matters. She remained in this role until 1990.
[paywall]
At the time, the husband was still married to his first wife. After going on their first date, he initiated divorce proceedings against his first wife, and they moved in together in 1993 before marrying in community of property without the accrual in 1999, until she left the matrimonial home in 2023. Throughout their union, the wife juggled responsibilities not only for her husband’s career but also for his young daughter from a previous marriage, all while maintaining the household. Her unwavering dedication, which included taking on the dual role of a supportive partner and a caretaker, saw her neglect her own interests and financial independence.
[/paywall]
