adminThubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
A 21-YEAR-OLD National University of Science and Technology (NUST) student is demanding $500 maintenance for her one-month-old child from a city medical doctor who tied the knot on Tuesday last week with another woman.
Sekai Doreen Musarurwa of Northend claimed that Tinashe Chanakira, 29, of Montrose paid lobola for her in September last year to her family in Harare, but has now abandoned her and wedded another woman Nothando Bhebe, 28.
Chanakira and Bhebe have a three-year-old child.
Musarurwa said Chanakira, who claims he was forced to pay lobola for her, is now neglecting their one month child.
Magistrate Sheunesu Matova ordered them to come to court on January 23 with witnesses of their choice who have knowledge of the September 2014 family meeting.
He also ordered the clerk of court to write letters to Chanakira’s employers to ascertain his employment status and earnings so that the correct calculations for maintenance could be made, if the need arises.
Musarurwa told Matova that she could not afford to take care of the child by herself as she was still a student.
She said Chanakira was employed as a doctor by both the government and a private clinic.
“Your worship, when I was pregnant, Chanakira called my aunt and arranged for a meeting to pay lobola. He came with his family in the presence of my parents, brothers, uncles and relatives,” said Musarurwa.
Chanakira, who was accompanied by Bhebe, said when they arrived at Musarurwa’s home in September last year, their initial intention was to pay “damages” since he wanted to be a part of his child’s life, but was forced to pay lobola.
He said he can only pay $100 maintenance.
“Her family threatened to beat us up if we didn’t comply with their demands your worship. I had to pay lobola instead of damages because they were fuming. As it is, her brothers threatened to make my life hell,” said Chanakira.
“A week ago Musarurwa and her brother went to my house when I wasn’t present and discussed something with my wife I am not aware of. Her brother actually beat up my sister-in-law for no apparent reason.”
Online Reporter