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time to hammer out an out-of-court settlement, but the talks collapsed after they failed to agree on figures.

Harare magistrate Mr Reuben Mukavhi had indefinitely deferred the court case in which Ms Karimatsenga is claiming 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 8.30am next Tuesday.

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 payment to be made to Ms Karimatsenga, but failed to agree.
“Yes, the matter was reset down for October 31 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 US$500 000, while PM Tsvangirai was offering US$200 000.
Advocate Thabani Mpofu, who is representing PM Tsvangirai, yesterday said he was not yet aware of the fresh set-down date.

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He also refused to comment on the failure of the deal.
Ms Karimatsenga wants the PM to contribute towards her upkeep and accessories, as she has been accustomed to.
In her claim, she says 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 says she later had pregnancy complications and went to South Africa for treatment.

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She said after recovering from a subsequent miscarriage, she returned home, only to find the matrimonial home locked up while 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 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 is yet to file papers opposing the maintenance claim, but he is expected to tender his response when the hearing starts next Tuesday.