adminMercy Ngwebvu
A TAXI driver last week appeared in court refusing to pay $180 maintenance for his three children arguing that he was already taking care of them.
He said there was no reason to part with more money for their welfare.
Laison Gwaimani was dragged to court by his ex-wife, Precious Zimano who described him as a negligent father.
She said he was running away from his responsibilities.
“This man earns around $400 per month and I know this because I stayed with him for more than five years. He uses his vehicle as a taxi, but he does not want to take care of his children. The three children we have together are attending school and I cannot take care of them single handedly as I am just a cross-border trader and I get $150 after selling my wares every month,” she said.
Asked to respond, Gwaimani told the court that he was a responsible father and saw no wisdom in paying maintenance when he was already playing his fatherly role.
He said: “Your Worship, I take care of my children very well. I don’t see why I should pay maintenance. As we speak I have the children’s brand new uniforms with me to ensure that they are presentable.
“She is the one who is irresponsible because since she took one of our children from my communal home. The child has not been attending school.
“The vehicle she is talking about is not mine and I only get to work for my own money during weekends. Instead of paying maintenance, I think I should continue taking care of my children the way I was doing all along.”
He eventually offered a paltry $40 for the upkeep of his three children.
In his ruling, Mr Poterai Gwezhira ordered Gwaimani to pay
$120 for his three children on the grounds that $40 was too little, adding that Zimano also had a role to play in the children’s upkeep.
Online Reporter