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Gibson Mhaka
A Plumtree-based soldier was ordered by a court to pay a monthly spousal support of $80 to his older ex-lover as compensation for the sexual services she rendered to him during the subsistence of their relationship.
Tongovaona Hungwe (31, ABOVE) learnt the hard way that cheating does not pay when Muchaneta Zhou (38) approached the court demanding spousal support from him.
Zhou who was initially demanding $215 monthly claimed that she had been in a customary relationship with Hungwe.
She said despite that she had been in a a�?long distancea�? relationship with Hungwe who is legally married to Sithembiso Hove, she had resolved to take the legal route after Hungwe had failed or neglected to provide reasonable support for her.
Zhou told the court that she could not afford to look after herself from the $70 she was realisng per month from her flea market.
She indicated in her summons that the court should order Hungwe to contribute a monthly maintenance of $215 to cover her groceries, clothing, rent among other expenses.
a�?I am seeking a monthly maintenance of $215 from the respondent in terms of Maintenance Act (Chapter 5:09) to cover groceries, clothing, rent among other expenses. The respondent is the responsible person legally liable to maintain me.
a�?He is also legally liable to pay the money since he is employed by Zimbabwe National Army and earning $500 per month,a�? reads part of her submissions.
In response, Hungwe refuted his ex-lovera��s demands. He said since he was not legally married to Zhou or have a child together there was no obligation for him to pay spousal support.
Meanwhile, his defence did not go down well with Zhou who said if he was no longer interested in her or fed up with her, he was supposed to approach her parents with a divorce token.
a�?Our customary relationship is still subsisting. He was always coming to my place of residence for sleep overs and my younger brother and sister Manaka and Rosemary Zhou can come before this court to testify. If he wants to dissolve the relationship he should go to my parents with a divorce token,a�? she said.
The seemingly cornered Hungwe was, however, ordered by presiding magistrate Tinashe Tashaya to pay $80 per month to Zhou as spousal upkeep.
After the court session Zhou was all over the court corridors complaining that it was a�?impracticablea�? for one to pay spousal support to an ex-girlfriend.
Online Reporter