adminNoleen Makhurane Court Reporter
TWO Bulawayo men yesterday demanded paternity tests in separate cases at the maintenance court.
This follows recent revelations that in 2012, 2013 and 2014 the Harare civil court discovered that an average of 70 percent of maintenance cases referred for DNA paternity tests come back negative.
Ruwadzano Chapanga dragged her married ex-boyfriend Mkhokheli Moyo, a nurse at Nyathi General Hospital, to the Maintenance Court.
According to court records Chapanga made an application for maintenance of $107 for a 16-month-old baby.
Moyo told magistrate Sheunesu Matova that Chapanga could not claim child support from him as the child was not his.
He said Chapanga gave birth six months after they had had sex, but the baby was not born prematurely.
“This baby was conceived in August but Chapanga gave birth in February instead of April and the baby is not premature. I’m a nurse by profession and I doubt that this is my baby,” said Moyo.
He told the court that he started sleeping with Chapanga when she had a boyfriend who used to call her in his presence.
Moyo demanded a paternity test saying: “I’ve two children and a wife that I must support and my salary will not permit to support this baby.”
Chapanga insisted Moyo was the father of her child.
“My mother has been assisting me with my bills. Moyo needs to support his baby as the cost of living is high. It’s Moyo’s baby and he should stop doubting it,” she said.
Matova ordered Moyo to contribute $50 as interim maintenance pending the outcome of paternity results.
He said the test should be done within three months.
In another case Austin Nyoni dragged Mildred Maphosa to the maintenance court, also demanding a paternity test.
“I’m applying for a paternity test because I doubt that this is my child. I have done my research and I’m prepared to pay for all the expenses for the procedure,” he said.
Maphosa agreed to go for the tests.
Magistrate Sithembiso Ncube granted Nyoni his application for paternity tests.
Online Reporter