Correspondent|The dispute over custody of children and access to a matrimonial home pitting Marry Mubaiwa and her ex-husband Acting President Constantino Chiwenga was yesterday deferred to next week to allow the parties to negotiate a settlement.

Justice Christopher Dube-Banda deferred to Tuesday the matter in which Mubaiwa is seeking an order compelling Acting President Chiwenga to allow her access to their three children and matrimonial home in Harare’s Borrowdale suburb.

Both parties’ lawyers, Mr Taona Nyamakura acting for Mubaiwa and Advocate Lewis Uriri representing Acting President Chiwenga, agreed to the postponement of the matter.

Briefing journalists outside the High Court, Mr Nyamakura confirmed the latest development.

“The matter has been deferred to Tuesday 21 January for possible argument or confirmation of settlement,” he said.

“We exchanged positions as legal practitioners acting for both sides in the matter. The tentative position is that this matter should be settled and not argued.”

Mr Nyamakura added that it would be in the best interest of the children that the parties find each other and the law is followed.

“But it is a tentative position, if we cannot reach a settlement by Monday then it means that we proceed with oral arguments on Tuesday as directed by the judge,” he said.

When approached for comment, Adv Uriri simply said: “The matter will be argued on Tuesday. We are not talking to the Press.”