Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
A VISIBLY intoxicated Sakubva resident, Enock Mlambo, appeared at the Mutare Civil Court on Monday, and argued that he prefers jail time than paying a monthly maintenance fee of US$50 for his six-month-old child.
Mlambo’s estranged wife, Patience Muputa, had dragged him to court, alleging neglect and excessive alcohol consumption, as well as his evasion of paternal responsibilities.
Muputa’s maintenance application cited Mlambo’s chronic absence as a father and his apparent prioritisation of alcohol over family obligations as reasons for the requested support.
“Your worship, my application is for the father of my child to cease his irresponsible behaviour and support his child,” pleaded Muputa before magistrate, Ms Thandiwe Sibanda.
Ms Sibanda, curious about the father’s financial situation, asked Mlambo if he could afford the requested amount.
The court then witnessed an unexpected twist.
Clearly under the influence of alcohol, Mlambo stammered through his response, arguing that his financial position rendered it impossible to support the child, yet claimed the baby ate whatever he ate.
“I acknowledge this is my child, and I am the one who should support him, but my wife is very stubborn. I told her that there is no need for all this court drama. Life is very tough these days. I can barely save anything,” said Mlambo.
He said he worked as a tout at a local rank, but claimed business had significantly declined since the start of the year.
When pressed on why he was not supporting his child, Mlambo did not offer a solution, instead begging to be jailed.
“Your worship, if it means I should go to jail, let it be. I have already told everyone about my challenges. There is no way I can raise that kind of money within a month without stealing or robbing someone. Just send me to jail.
“It is better than ending up in prison later for worse crimes,” Mlambo shockingly declared.
Meanwhile, a clearly frustrated Muputa lashed out at Mlambo’s supposed financial woes, telling the court he always had money for alcohol, but none for his child’s needs.
“He cannot support his child, but he always finds money to buy alcohol. Every day he comes home just like what he is now. I am tired of begging him to support his own child,” said a visibly angry Muputa.
Mlambo, in his defence, claimed that his drinking habits were not entirely self-funded.
“It is my friends who buy me alcohol. They know I am going through a lot, so I drink to escape from reality. It also hurts me when my family complains, but what can I do?” he said.
Despite his dramatic plea to be incarcerated, Ms Sibanda firmly ruled that Mlambo pays a monthly maintenance fee of US$40, slightly lower the US$50 that Muputa had requested.
Ms Sibanda issued a stern warning to Mlambo, making it clear that if he continued neglecting his responsibilities, the jail time he wants will become a reality.
“You must support your child regardless of how much you earn. The little you have is for your family, not for pleasing your friends, while your child suffers.
If this behaviour continues, you will indeed find yourself in jail — not by choice, but by law,” said Ms Sibanda.
