Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
THERE was drama at the Mutare Civil Court when a maintenance application filed by Miriam Nyakusvorwa, from Chikanga, led to a heated paternity dispute over their five-month-old baby.
Nyakusvorwa brought her case before Mr Xavier Chipato, seeking a maintenance order for her child, alleging that the father, Lucas Gore, had abandoned his responsibilities towards the child.
In response, Gore denied knowing Nyakusvorwa, arguing he had no knowledge of either her or the child in question.
“Your worship, I am completely shocked and I do not even know this woman.
She must be mentally unstable to drag me to court over a baby I have never seen or heard of,” said Gore.
However, Nyakusvorwa maintained her stance and detailed her relationship with Gore.
She explained that in 2024, she stayed at Gore’s residence as a tenant.
The property was managed by Gore’s wife and Nyakusvorwa occupied a room adjacent to Gore’s.
She said during her stay at the house, she became intimate with Gore, accusing him of deliberately pretending not to know her, despite their history.
“This man is deceiving the court,” insisted Nyakusvorwa.
“His wife, whom I affectionately call ‘maiguru’, knows me well. We lived under the same roof and there were never any issues between us,” she added.
Mr Chipato sought clarification from Gore’s first wife regarding her familiarity with Nyakusvorwa.
The first wife confirmed knowing Nyakusvorwa, but only as a tenant.
She denied any knowledge of an affair between her husband and Nyakusvorwa.
However, following this testimony, Gore acknowledged knowing Nyakusvorwa, identifying her as a former tenant, who had moved out in 2024 to stay with her husband in Zimunya.
Nyakusvorwa disputed this assertion, telling the court she was no longer in a relationship with her ex-husband and that their contact was limited to matters concerning their child.
She reiterated that her intimate relationship with Gore began during her time at his house and alleged that Gore initiated the relationship.
“When I moved into that house, I had already separated with my husband. Your worship, if you call my daughter waiting outside the courtroom, she will confirm that she knows this man as her father,” said Nyakusvorwa.
Nyakusvorwa explained that she left the residence in March 2024 due to interpersonal issues with Gore’s first wife and moved in with her sister in Dangamvura.
However, she claimed she visited Gore again in May 2024, during which time they resumed a sexual relationship.
It was during that visit, she alleged, that she fell pregnant.
“I fell pregnant during that one-week visit. We were intimate and even the first wife is aware of this,” said Nyakusvorwa.
Initially, Nyakusvorwa had applied for a monthly maintenance fee of US$150.
She justified the amount by claiming knowledge of Gore’s financial situation, alleging he earns about US$400 per month and supplemented his income through self-employment.
She added that the two had even previously worked together as business partners.
In contrast, Gore disputed the claims and told the court that he worked as a general hand and his responsibilities include cleaning public market areas.
He argued that his monthly earnings amounted to only US$60.
Despite his denial of paternity and refusal to support the child, the court deemed it necessary to determine the truth through scientific means.
Mr Chipato emphasised the importance of a DNA paternity test in resolving the dispute accurately.
While awaiting the results of the DNA test results, Gore was ordered to pay US$30 per month as interim maintenance.
