Meet Brilliant Ncube, the CEO of Kingdom Blue Funeral Services, who’s got a flair for the dramatic – and a marriage that’s gone up in flames. After discovering his wife Sibonguthando was allegedly having an affair and carrying another man’s child, Brilliant filed for divorce faster than you can say “Kingdom Blue coffin”.

The court battle that followed was more dramatic than a soap opera. Sibonguthando demanded US$1,200 in spousal maintenance, and Brilliant was like, “Uh, no way!” But the court ruled in her favor, and he had to pay up. However, Brilliant claims he’s struggling to make ends meet, citing a long list of expenses that would make even the most seasoned accountant weep.

Brilliant told the court he earns R40,000 monthly, but his expenses are through the roof – or should we say, through the coffin lid? He’s supporting seven children, including the one that’s allegedly not his, and paying R43,000 in university fees for his first-born. Talk about a grave financial situation. He’s also paying R1,500 in transport costs and R7,500 in rent. It’s a wonder he’s not buried under the debt.

Brilliant proposed selling their jointly owned housing stand, valued at US$65,000, to support Sibonguthando, but her lawyers were like, “Nope, that property is already tied up in litigation under case 555/25.” It seems the kingdom of love has turned into a kingdom of court battles.

Magistrate Sharon Gava remanded the case to April 28, leaving the Ncubes’ fate hanging in the balance. Will Brilliant’s kingdom crumble, or will he find a way to bury the hatchet? With US$5,600 in arrears and a court case looming, the pressure is on. Stay tuned for more explosive details in next week’s B-Metro!

How will Brilliant Ncube’s financial woes affect his business empire? Will he be able to keep his kingdom afloat, or will it be a case of “ashes to ashes, dust to dust”? Only time will tell