Actress Denise Zimba reportedly loses custody of daughters to ex-Husband! Generations: The Legacy actress and media personality Denise Zimba has reportedly lost custody of her daughters to her ex-husband, Jakob Schlichtig.
According to Women For Change, the Johannesburg High Court ruled in favor of Schlichtig, allowing him to take their daughters back to Germany. The court allegedly cited concerns that the children would be distressed without their father.
Court Ruling and Custody Battle
Zimba and Schlichtig, who tied the knot in April 2022, initially relocated to Germany after their wedding. However, due to marital disputes, Zimba returned to South Africa after giving birth to their second child.
In March 2024, the actress hinted at their separation when she referred to herself as a single mother in an Instagram post.
Denise Zimba reportedly loses custody
She shared a heartfelt photo of herself with her daughters on the beach, captioning it:
“Had such a good time with my girls in the sun today. Getting a hang of this single parenting. Just us three.”
This statement was a strong indication that her marriage had ended. She also deleted all pictures and videos of her wedding and her ex-husband from her social media accounts.
Allegations of Infidelity and Betrayal
Zimba’s custody battle has been overshadowed by allegations of infidelity. In January 2025, she made shocking claims that Schlichtig had cheated on her with her childhood best friend, Mpumi Mdluli.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she wrote:
“Nothing worse than finding out your best friend since you were 14 years old has been having an affair with your husband, and that’s why she always ghosted you when you were pregnant and never celebrated you – birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers.”
These revelations sparked an intense reaction online, with many expressing their outrage and sympathy for Zimba.
Public Reaction to the Court’s Decision
News of Zimba’s custody loss quickly went viral, with social media users questioning the fairness of the ruling. Many expressed disbelief that Schlichtig, despite the infidelity allegations, was granted full custody and allowed to relocate the children overseas.
Some users reacted as follows:
- @IAmShahieda: “Sad, but we do not know the inner workings of these people’s lives and why the court would rule in the father’s favour.”
- @TeeDeeny: “Just read the post about Denise Zimba and I had to read it again to confirm I’m understanding it correctly. How does a court rule in favour of a cheating husband for custody? Worse to allow him to take her minor girl children overseas without their mother? Nope, she needs to appeal!”
- @Naki_Nephawe: “What’s happening to Denise Zimba is wrong on so many levels. Your husband cheating on you with your best friend then winning custody of your kids. Shipping them off to a whole different continent is so wrong.”
The ruling has sparked debates about family law, particularly regarding how courts determine custody arrangements in cases of international disputes.
Calls for an Appeal
Supporters of Zimba have urged her to appeal the decision, questioning how a mother could lose custody while the father was allegedly unfaithful.
Some have also pointed out the emotional toll such a decision might have on the children, as they are being separated from their primary caregiver.
At this stage, Zimba has not publicly commented on whether she intends to challenge the court’s ruling.
A Difficult Chapter for Denise Zimba
This custody battle marks a painful chapter in Denise Zimba’s life, both personally and professionally. From dealing with marital betrayal to losing custody of her daughters, she has faced immense challenges.
Despite the heartbreaking situation, her fans and followers have continued to rally behind her, offering messages of support and encouragement.
As the legal battle unfolds, many will be watching closely to see if Zimba takes further legal action or if she will be forced to accept the court’s decision.
For now, she remains focused on rebuilding her life in South Africa, even as she faces the painful reality of being separated from her children.
