Mpondela, Ex-Wife Settle Property In Court

THE Lusaka High Court has shared the properties between Elias Mpondela and his former wife, Judith.
Judith has been allocated Suwilanji Gardens and a flat in Kabulonga while Mpondela, president of the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association, has been allocated properties in Jesmondine and Chainama.
This is in a matter where Judith, the petitioner, applied for property settlement. Mpondela, the respondent in the matter, had opposed the application and filed an affidavit in opposition.
Judith stated at the hearing that during her 20 years of marriage to Mpondela, the two parties acquired plot number four Jesmondine, plot number 22976 PHI, Chainama, stand number 22690 (Suwilanji Gardens) and flat number 9E9 Roan Road, all in Lusaka.
In her ruling, Lusaka High Court judge Chilombo Maka- Phiri, sitting as deputy registrar, directed that Suwilanji Gardens be given to Judith.
Judge Phiri however, ordered a valuation of the property to ascertain its value in comparison with the plot in Jesmondine which was allocated to Mpondela.
“The valuation should be undertaken by a valuation surveyor acceptable to both parties. The cost of valuation will be borne by the petitioner and the valuation should be done within three months from the date of ruling,” read the ruling in part.
She stated that should the net value of Suwilanji Gardens be more than that of Jesmondine plot, Judith had to pay off Mpondela from the excess value in ratio of one third and two thirds for herself.
Judge Phiri stated that the outstanding amount on the loan should be subtracted from the net excess value before paying off Mpondela.
She also cautioned that the valuation should not extend to Suwilanji Gardens Limited as a business.
Judge Phiri allocated Mpondela the Jesmondine plot, which she said should also be valued by a valuation surveyor acceptable to both parties.
She stated that the cost of valuation would be borne by Mpondela and should be done within three months from date of ruling.
Judge Phiri stated that should the net value of the plot allocated to Mpondela be found to be higher than that of Suwilanji Gardens, he should pay off his ex-wife the excess value in the ratio of one third and two thirds for himself.
She also allocated the PHI plot to Mpondela and the Kabulonga flat to Judith, which she said were not contested by either party.
Judge Phiri ordered that costs of the application be borne by each party.