A Durban lady who left her marriage after discovering her husband’s romance with her best friend has requested almost R100,000 in maintenance and R171,000 for new furniture in the high court.
The wife filed a Rule 43 action in the Durban High Court, seeking interim maintenance for herself and their three children until the divorce was settled.
In her application, she indicated that her husband was financially secure and could pay the sum she sought for herself and their children.
She stated that her spouse is a successful surgeon at Umhlanga Netcare Hospital and also operates a laparoscopic clinic.
He also serves as a trustee for two trusts and a director for three enterprises. He also invests in cryptocurrencies, and she estimates he may have invested up to R950,000 in them.
Furthermore, their marital home is worth approximately R10 million, and the husband drives a vehicle worth at least R1 million.
According to court documents, she left her matrimonial home in March 2024 and moved in with her brother.
After discovering her husband’s romance with her best friend, she decided to leave, fearing a polygamous marriage.
In his statement, the husband stated that he earns slightly more than R79,000 and can only afford to pay R6,000 in maintenance for the children.
He also stated that he will cover the children’s tuition expenditures, as well as any appropriate medical and dental charges. Furthermore, he hopes to keep his estranged wife covered under his medical insurance.
He did not respond to the claims made by the wife in her affidavit. Instead, he spent many paragraphs detailing the marital issues he has had with his wife since 2014.
The judge stated that the husband’s arguments in his affidavit provided little assistance in a Rule 43 application.
As a result, the judge ordered the husband to pay R55,000 in maintenance on the first of each month.
He must also pay for all of the children’s medical expenses, school tuition, including aftercare fees, speech therapy (if indicated by the school), stationery, clothes, extra courses, extramural activities, sporting equipment, school tours, and excursions.
He was also sentenced to pay the wife R50,000 for her furniture.
Furthermore, he must pay R40,000 towards his wife’s divorce bills by the end of July.
