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Patient Sibanda, Court Reporter
A VISUALLY impaired 82-year-old man denied paternity of a child at the maintenance clerk’s office after a magistrate ordered him to pay $50 monthly maintenance in absentia.
Elijah Mbano of Gwabalanda suburb in Bulawayo arrived late for court after magistrate Evelyn Mashava had awarded his estranged wife Molinah Chidhakwa, 42, of Nkulumane 12 suburb $50 for the upkeep of a four-year-old child.
Mbano went to the Maintenance Office and pleaded with the clerks saying he could not afford to pay the money.
“I don’t have money. This girl knows the father of her child. I’m not responsible,” he said, adding he used to give Chidhakwa money that she would spend with her boyfriends.
The clerks said only a magistrate could change the ruling.
Chidhakwa had told magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure that Mbano was neglecting their four-year-old child.
“I want $50 for the upkeep of my child. He is not employed but he has two houses in Mpopoma and Gwabalanda suburbs. There are tenants renting the houses. He gets about $320 per month,” she said.
Chidhakwa said Mbano had chased her out of his home after accusing her of causing his blindness through witchcraft.
Magistrate Mashavakure told Mbano to apply for renewal of judgement as he was in default when the order to pay $50 was made.
Online Reporter