adminTendai Gukutikwa
A MUTARE woman who wanted to claim a substantial amount from a man she was cohabiting with was left stunned after she heard that he will only pay for child maintenance and not her claims.
Mutare magistrate Mrs Yeukai Chigodora told Memory Govha that cohabiting was not marriage.
Govha had dragged Masite to court claiming $150 as maintenance for their one-year-old-baby.
On her breakdown, Govha told the court that she wanted $80 for rentals and utility bills while the remaining $70 was meant for the baby’s food, clothing and medication.
Mrs Chigodora asked her if they were married since rentals were only meant to be paid by and to married spouses.
“If you are not either customarily or legally married then you are just cohabiting and he is not obligated to pay for your rentals and utility bills. He is only bound to pay for his child’s maintenance,” said Mrs Chigodora.
Masite told the court that he had a wife and three other children. Govha told the court that Masite earned $530 and should pay $150 maintenance since he frequented her place and played the husband role.
Masite told the court that he could pay $70 as maintenance for his child.
He was ordered to pay $60.
Online Reporter