$450 demand brought to $50

Mercy Ngwebvu
A MUTARE woman’s attempt to get $450 as maintenance for one child from her ex-husband who is a cross-border trader hit a snag after the magistrate considered the man’s plight and settled for $50 only. The self-employed Ellen Ziko appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Yeukai Chigodora, claiming maintenance from one Valencia, arguing that their child needed to be well taken care of.

“I need $450 to take care of the child. I am employed and I need $100 to pay the maid among other necessities. The respondent gets $1 500 per month and parting with $450 will be fine with him, Your Worship,” said Ellen.

However, when he was asked to respond, Valencia dismissed Ellen’s claims. Instead he gave a list of excuses.
Said Valencia: “Your Worship, I can only afford $50 because I am currently in dire straits. Business is down nowadays and I can barely make $500 per month. I have four children with another woman and I have the birth certificates to prove that. I am also taking care of my parents as I am the breadwinner in my family.”

In her ruling, Mrs Chigodora ordered Valencia to pay $50 with effect from February 28.
“The respondent is no longer earning much money and he happens to have a lot of other responsibilities which I have to consider. He will pay $50 as maintenance for your child,” she said.