- A 62-year-old senior teacher, Calisto Marezva, has reportedly abandoned his 37-year marriage to live with his former student, Lillian Komboni.
- The controversy has erupted in Zimbabwe’s Muzvezve Constituency.
- Marezva and his estranged wife, Diana Dorothea Gundu, were married for nearly four decades and have three children and seven grandchildren.
- The former wife, Diana, has filed a lawsuit seeking US$50,000 in adultery damages from Lillian.
The alleged affair between Calisto Marezva, a respected teacher of 43 years at Donain Secondary School, and Lillian Komboni, who operates a bar at Donain Shopping Centre, has ignited significant public discussion. The couple’s move to live together in January of last year marked the end of Marezva’s long-standing marriage, which was solemnized under the Marriage Act, Chapter 5:11. The unfolding legal battle and the public nature of the separation have drawn widespread attention within the community, highlighting the complexities of marital breakdowns and extramarital affairs in Zimbabwe.
Tensions between Diana Gundu and Lillian Komboni have escalated since the split, resulting in several court appearances related to peace orders and accusations of cyberbullying. Legal documents indicate that Lillian was formally served with summons regarding the adultery damages claim in January 2026, with a warning of a default judgment if she failed to respond. The case continues to be a high-profile local dispute.
Timeline
- **6 hours ago:** News broke of the ongoing court proceedings and public outcry regarding Calisto Marezva’s marital abandonment.
- **January 2026:** Lillian Komboni was served with a second set of summons for the adultery damages case, requiring a response within five days.
Key Players
- **Calisto Marezva:** 62-year-old senior teacher, accused of abandoning his wife for a former student.
- **Lillian Komboni:** Former student of Marezva, with whom he is now living, and facing an adultery damages lawsuit.
- **Diana Dorothea Gundu:** Marezva’s estranged wife of 37 years, who is seeking US$50,000 in adultery damages.
