Television actress Denise Zimba has unveiled explosive details about her troubled marriage to her German husband, Jakob Schlichtig. According to Sunday World, in court papers filed at the Joburg High Court, Zimba alleges that her marriage collapsed after she caught Schlichtig masturbating while texting another woman. The revelations come as Zimba opposes Schlichtig’s attempt to force her to return their two children to Germany.
Zimba paints a vivid picture of neglect and betrayal in her affidavit. “What led to my depression, amongst other things except cheating, was that he was not helping me at all with the children,” she stated. Despite her requests for support, Schlichtig allegedly refused to buy a plane ticket for Zimba’s mother to assist with childcare, opting instead to spend 900 euros on his sick cat’s medical treatment.
Further accusations of infidelity emerged as Zimba recounted an incident where she found Schlichtig engaged in a sexual act while texting another woman. “The second applicant is indeed cheating. I once found him masturbating while texting another female,” she said. When confronted, Schlichtig reportedly claimed he couldn’t stay in a marriage where he was forbidden from such acts.
Emotional abuse also played a significant role in the disintegration of their marriage, according to Zimba. “He tells me that I am poor and I cannot do anything because I do not have money,” she stated. Schlichtig allegedly belittled her, saying she would never find a better man and that no one would want a woman with two kids.
Zimba argued that returning the children to Germany would expose them to harm, as Schlichtig, a businessman in both Germany and South Africa, did not provide adequate care. “No one will be looking after the children in Germany,” she asserted, emphasising that she was unemployed and solely responsible for their care in South Africa, with help from her mother.
Contrary to Schlichtig’s claims, Zimba insisted they only moved to Germany temporarily due to his mother’s illness, with the intention of settling permanently in South Africa. “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 clarified.
Zimba also highlighted the lack of support from Schlichtig’s family, who, despite living nearby, rarely offered assistance. “Since I came to South Africa, I am fine and relieved, and my children are also fine and happy,” she noted, adding that Schlichtig is always welcome to visit his children in South Africa, where he frequently travels for business.
