The South African entertainment world is buzzing with the latest drama to hit our shores, and this time, it's a messy divorce that's got everyone talking. Actress Denise Zimba, known for her roles in shows like "Generations: The Legacy," has filed shocking claims against her German husband, Jakob Schlichtig, in a bitter legal battle over their two children.
The drama unfolded in the Joburg High Court, where Zimba is vehemently opposing Schlichtig's application to force her to return their children to Germany, where he resides. Schlichtig claims Zimba unlawfully removed the children from the country, but Zimba's court papers paint a very different picture, one filled with accusations of infidelity, emotional abuse, and a lack of support.
In her affidavit, Zimba lays bare the alleged reasons behind the breakdown of their marriage, claiming that Schlichtig's actions, including his alleged infidelity, drove her to depression and ultimately led to the separation.
"What led to my depression, amongst other things except cheating, was that he was not helping me at all with [the] children. The second applicant had mentioned many times that I am not a priority to him, and the 2% energy he did was for the children, and that [I] must accept the ‘phase’ we are in," Zimba states in the affidavit.
The actress goes on to accuse Schlichtig of prioritizing his cat's medical treatment over her mother's travel expenses, a move that further highlights the alleged lack of support she received from her husband.
"I requested him to pay for a flight for my mother to come to Germany and help me with children, he also refused, but he took his cat to the doctor and paid 900 euros," she reveals.
But the most shocking revelation comes when Zimba accuses Schlichtig of infidelity, claiming she caught him in a compromising position.
"The second applicant is indeed cheating. I once found him masturbating while texting another female, and (name withheld) was asleep in the room. During the confrontation, I requested his phone as he was shaking. He voiced that he cannot be in a marriage where he cannot touch himself," she alleges in the affidavit.
Zimba's accusations don't stop there. She also claims Schlichtig emotionally abused her, belittling her financial situation and telling her she would never find a better man.
"The second applicant is emotionally abusing me with words because he does tell me that I am poor and I cannot do anything because I do not have money. The second applicant also voiced that l will never get a man better than him, and no man wants a woman with two kids," she states in the affidavit.
Zimba's claims paint a picture of a marriage riddled with infidelity, emotional abuse, and a lack of support. She argues that returning the children to Germany would expose them to potential harm, both physically and psychologically.
"No one will be looking after the children in Germany because the second applicant is a businessman in Germany and in South Africa, and he is not helping me at all with the children. He even refused to help me by hiring a helper for me," she states.
Zimba further claims that the children were not wrongfully removed from Germany and that she was not wrongfully refusing to return them. She argues that her decision to return to South Africa was driven by her inability to cope alone with the children and the need for her mother's support.
"I am unemployed and looking after the children. My mother is unemployed and helping me. No one will be looking after children in Germany," she states.
Zimba also refutes Schlichtig's claim that they moved to Germany permanently after their wedding, stating that their stay was temporary due to his mother's illness.
"We went to Germany temporarily because the second applicant’s mother was sick. The intentions were always to live permanently in South Africa, hence we bought a house in South Africa. My residence permit ( in Germany) is expiring on the 20th day of August 2024 because we went to Germany temporarily," she states.
Zimba further argues that living in Germany would negatively impact her career and that Schlichtig's family did not offer her any support in raising their children.
"The family lived only 50 minutes away from our rented place, and only came to see us four times during our stay. Whenever we asked for help, family members were either too busy hiking, or just not interested in stepping in to help, or would make excuses about assisting," she reveals.
Zimba concludes her affidavit by stating that she is happy and relieved to be back in South Africa, where she has the support of her family and her children are thriving.
"Since I came to South Africa, I am fine and relieved, and my children are also fine and happy. The second applicant is always allowed to visit children and spend time with them because he frequents … South Africa because he owns businesses in both countries," she states.
The legal battle between Denise Zimba and Jakob Schlichtig is far from over. The court will now have to decide the fate of their children and determine who will have primary custody. This case, however, has already sparked a firestorm of controversy, with many questioning the allegations and the impact this will have on the children's well-being.
