Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
A MAINTENANCE dispute between Rejoice Shava and her husband, Darlington Mutumwa has been dismissed by the court, which ruled that it cannot grant the US$250 monthly upkeep the former had demanded for their 23-year-old son studying in China.
Shava had told the court that Mutumwa, a lecturer at an unnamed institution, had been inconsistent in supporting their children, leaving her to shoulder the mounting fees alone.
Mutare magistrate, Ms Thandiwe Sibanda, presided over the matter, ultimately ruling in favour of Mutumwa, who denied neglect and defended his financial contributions.
The Shava said their son had recently contacted her in distress, explaining that he risked dropping out of university because Mutumwa had not paid his pledged amount.
“My son reached out to me from China, saying he was on the verge of dropping out because his father had not been meeting his financial obligations. I have been covering all the fees by myself, while he fails to support the child,” said Shava, adding that their older son, also at university, had broken down during a separate call, pleading with her to confront their father.
The court heard allegations that the father’s neglect stemmed from his involvement with a woman staying in Chikanga.
Mutumwa rejected claims that he was exaggerating his financial difficulties, telling the court that he had consistently supported his family and that Shava was misrepresenting the situation to gain sympathy.
He insisted that he remained committed to his children’s welfare and had never abandoned his responsibilities.
“I have been paying for most of the children’s needs for years, including fees, food and transport. The suggestion that I have turned my back on them is simply not true. She knows the contributions I make, yet she continues to portray me as someone who refuses to provide,” said Mutumwa.
Mutumwa further told the court that tensions in the marriage had begun when he received a car from their eldest son in China.
He alleged that Shava had become increasingly jealous after the gift, interpreting it as a threat rather than an act of appreciation.
“When my son bought me a car to thank me for raising and educating him, the atmosphere at home changed overnight. Instead of being happy for us, she became resentful. From then on, every decision I made was framed as selfish or suspicious, even when nothing had changed,” said Mutumwa.
He also said his reduced involvement in some expenses had followed an arrangement within the family, where the eldest son had volunteered to help support his younger siblings as a gesture of gratitude for the sacrifices made over the years.
“My eldest child offered to cover some of his brothers’ fees because he felt it was time to assist the family. It was never about me refusing to help. It was a family plan she understood and agreed to, but now she uses it to claim I am neglecting the boys,” said Mutumwa.
Responding to allegations of infidelity, Mutumwa firmly denied the claims and accused Shava of projecting her own behaviour onto him.
He maintained that he had never been unfaithful and that the accusations were an attempt to damage his standing with their children.
“I have never cheated on my wife, not once. She is the one who has had outside relationships, yet she shifts the blame to me. She feeds the children false stories to project me as an unfaithful parent, and it is deeply unfair and misleading,” said Mutumwa.
The court also heard that Mutumwa owned a stand in Chikanga that was currently under construction. He said the project was a legitimate family investment and not linked to any misconduct, dismissing claims that it was connected to an affair.
“The stand in Chikanga is simply a property I am building for the future.
She knows about it, but she twists it to imply wrongdoing. She wants the children to believe I am hiding something, yet there is nothing secretive or improper about the development,” said Mutumwa.
After hearing both sides, Ms Sibanda advised Shava that the court could not grant maintenance for an adult child, and urged the couple to put their disputes aside and avoid involving their children in marital conflicts.
“The law does not permit maintenance orders for adults, and both of you must stop turning your children into bargaining tools in your disagreements. I encourage you to settle your differences amicably and act responsibly for the sake of the family as a whole,” said Ms Sibanda.
