Actress Denise Zimba Loses Custody of Her Children to German Ex-Husband

Denise Zimba, the celebrated South African actress known for her role in Generations: The Legacy, has reportedly lost custody of her two daughters to her ex-husband, Jakob Schlichtig.

The Johannesburg High Court ruled in favour of Schlichtig, allowing him to take their children back to Germany. This decision has sparked widespread discussion and controversy among fans and the public alike.

Court Ruling in Favor of Jakob Schlichtig

According to reports from Women For Change, the Johannesburg High Court determined that it would be in the children’s best interest to live with their father in Germany. The court documents allegedly stated that the daughters would experience significant distress if separated from their father. This ruling comes after a lengthy legal battle between Zimba and Schlichtig, who were once seen as a picture-perfect couple.

Following their wedding, Denise Zimba moved to Germany in 2022 with Schlichtig and their first daughter. However, after the birth of their second child, the couple faced marital disputes, prompting Zimba to return to South Africa with her children. The court’s decision marks a significant shift in the custody arrangement, leaving many questioning the implications for the children’s future.

Denise Zimba’s Social Media Clues

Prior to the court’s ruling, Denise Zimba hinted at her separation from Jakob Schlichtig on her Instagram account. In March 2024, she shared a heartfelt post featuring a photo of herself and her daughters enjoying a day at the beach. The caption read,

Had such a good time with my girls in the sun today. Getting a hang of this single parenting. Just us three.

This post led many to speculate about the status of her marriage.
Denise Zimba loses custody of her kids to her ex-husband-Image Source@x/pop pulse
Further fueling the rumors, Zimba deleted all photos and videos of her wedding day and ex-husband from her social media profiles. This move was seen as a clear indication of her desire to distance herself from her past relationship and focus on her role as a mother.

Allegations of Infidelity

In January 2025, Denise Zimba made headlines when she revealed that her ex-husband, Jakob Schlichtig, had been unfaithful to her with her childhood friend, Mpumi Mdluli. Zimba took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her heartbreak, stating,

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.

This revelation shocked fans and added another complexity to the custody battle. Many questioned how the court could rule for a father who had allegedly betrayed the family’s trust.

Public Reaction

The court’s decision has elicited strong reactions from South Africans, with many expressing their support for Denise Zimba and their disapproval of the ruling. Social media platforms have been flooded with comments criticizing the court’s decision and sympathizing with Zimba’s plight.

@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 favor.

@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 favor 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.