adminClara Mudefi
A tobacco farmer offered to pay $10 maintenance for a child he sired out of wedlock saying he was debt-ridden owing to last season’s poor harvest. Appearing before Mutare magistrate Mr Langton Mukwengi, Pamela Sigauke, who is a teacher, had claimed $150 from Tennibo Gwatidzo and a birth certificate for the minor.
“Your Worship, I need $150 from Gwatidzo so as to maintain our child and I also want the baby to be granted a birth certificate. He is a tobacco farmer and can afford to cater for the child.”
In response, Gwatidzo told the court that $150 was too much for him and was only able to part with $10.
“I am not formally employed, Your worship, ‘ndokiya kiya’ — I hustle to make ends meet. I used to grow tobacco but last year was a flop for me and I was left with a big debt. I am also married and have two other children,” he said.
But Sigauke countered: “$10 is too little for maintaining the child. If he sends the amount via Eco-cash I will be left with $9. Since the child was born I have been taking care of it on my own. He should be man enough and offer more”.
Making a ruling in the case, Mr Mukwengi said: “Madam, your ex-husband is not earning much, I now grant him to pay $30 as maintenance effective from September 31 and by end of this month the child should have the birth certificate.”
Online Reporter