daniel chigunwe
Jemira Chitakunye
A CHITUNGWIZA AFM Pastor told a magistrate he cannot pay maintenance for his two children because the money will be abused by his former wife and her boyfriend.
Simbarashe Tom, also known as Pastor Smat, claimed that his ex-wife Ayisha Pamela Tom wants to take care of her boyfriend using the money he will pay for the maintenance of their children.
He appeared at the Chitungwiza Civil Court.
“My wife left our marriage because of infidelity and she told me that l cannot take care of her.
“She went on to live with a boyfriend and now she wants me to take care of her boyfriend.
“If l am to pay maintenance l will put the money in her mother’s account,” he said.
He added:
“I always send food to her but she claims the food is not enough because her boyfriend is eating the food.
“We are given money at church and we don’t have a monthly salary but we are supported by the congregants.
“She is not the one living with the children so l cannot give her the money, l will give her mother.”
Ayisha dismissed the allegations.
“He is the one who cheated and, yes, I now live with my boyfriend because I moved on but the money is for his children.
“He is a pastor at AFM and they are given groceries and he sends little food – 5kgs mealie meal, 2 kgs rice, and two litres cooking oil for the whole term for his children.”
The magistrate ordered Pastor Smart to pay US$50 a month for the two children and also to continue paying school fees.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge