In a detailed press release Somizi address allegations that he owes Mohale’s lawyers legal costs and there was a court order in place by detailing a response which read;
became aware of the information posted in the media and social media on 9 March 2023, regarding the divorce case between me and Mohale.
I wish to state the true facts regarding the withdrawal of the divorce action as much of the information circulated is simply incorrect.
- Both Mohale and I were initially in agreement that we entered into a valid customary marriage. It is indeed Mohale, who in the first correspondence between us stated that a valid customary marriage was entered into and that we were married in community of property.
lissued a summons for divorce, as this is the only manner in which a marriage can be legally dissolved in accordance with South African law. - We initially agreed to enter into settlement negotiations in an attempt to end the marriage amicably. I never wanted the matter to become protracted and acrimonious.
The decision to withdraw the divorce action comes after we were unable to reach an agreement regarding the existence of the marriage. We had initially agreed that a marriage existed, but Mohale later claimed that no valid marriage had taken place. - I obtained an opinion from an expert in customary law and after careful consideration, I have accepted that no valid customary marriage was entered into. The decision to withdraw the action avoids protracted, costly and acrimonious litigation proceedings As a result, the action for divorce has been withdrawn and the litigation in respect of the divorce is now finalised. This means that no divorce proceedings will take place Although I received legal advice suggesting that Mohale’s disavowal of our marriage may have warranted an exception to the usual rule of the withdrawing party paying legal costs, I opted to offer to cover the costs. This decision was influenced by the fact that the case was still in its early stages and the legal costs were relatively small, which made pursuing the matter seem unproductive
There is no court order to this effect. - The matter was never heard by a court and no court has considered the merits of the dispute and made a ruling on those disputes.
I am grateful that the matter has been resolved and that I can focus on the future. I hope that we can find a path towards healing and resolution. I respectfully ask that our privacy during this time of transition be respected.
Sincerely
Somizi Mhlongo
