A man who told the court that his soon-to-be ex-wife was not entitled to a part of his pension fund after their divorce due to a gambling habit has been ordered to give her half of their joint estate, reports News24.

His pension is valued at R3.5m.

The couple, who were married in community of property in 2000, both agreed that their marriage had broken down and they should get divorced.

When the case was heard in the Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg), the husband said despite being married in community of property, he didn't want to share his estate with his wife because she had a gambling addiction.

He, however, could only tell the court of two times in 19 years when she gambled.

She also admitted to gambling for entertainment while on holiday.

He said the gambling led to the breakdown of their marriage.

The wife said she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Once she got sick, he stopped giving her attention and started sleeping elsewhere.

Acting Judge Rochelle Francis-Subbiah said 'he showed no compassion and concern for her'.

Francis-Subbiah granted the couple a divorce decree and ruled that they were entitled to 50% of each other's pension funds.

Full News24 report