Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A MAKONI man yanked his wife’s former boyfriend to Chief Makoni’s community court, alleging that he is the biological father of his 15-year-old son and demanding compensation for raising the child.
The matter came before the traditional court after Shupikai Mapfumo of Nyahava Village, questioned the paternity of his first-born child, claiming that his wife’s former boyfriend, Phibion Chinenyanga of Inyati Mine, could be the boy’s biological father.
Mapfumo is seeking compensation in the form of five cattle, arguing that he has shouldered the responsibility of raising the child for the past 15 years.
Mapfumo said the issue surfaced earlier this year when his son allegedly encountered a man during a school sporting event who claimed to be his biological father.
“I have been married to my wife for about 15 years. This year, our first-born child took part in sports competitions at a school near his mother’s home area.
“I went there to support him and bought him some goodies. He then told me that a man had approached him and claimed to be his biological father, although he could not properly identify him,” said Mapfumo.
He said the revelation prompted him to confront his wife, who initially denied any knowledge of the matter.
“When we returned home, I questioned my wife. At first, she denied everything.
“However, she later contacted her brother seeking money for DNA tests. Before the tests could be conducted, she told her brother that she had something important to disclose.
“Her family convened a meeting where she revealed that Chinenyanga could be the father of our child.
“Chinenyanga was invited to the meeting and allegedly admitted that he was the father. He also indicated that he was prepared to compensate me for raising his son all these years,” said Mapfumo.
However, Chinenyanga disputed the claims, saying he could neither confirm nor deny paternity.
“I cannot admit or deny the allegations being made by Mapfumo. It is true that I was once in a relationship with his wife before she got married, but I am not certain that I fathered the child.
“On the day of the sporting event that is being referred to, I was not at the school. In fact, I do not know the child in question,” he said.
The child’s mother, whose identity was withheld during the proceedings, said she was willing to undergo DNA testing to establish the truth.
In his ruling, Chief Makoni said the dispute could only be resolved through scientific verification, given the conflicting accounts presented before the court.
“The woman was involved with two men before eventually eloping with one of them.
“The only reliable way to establish the truth is through DNA testing,” ruled Chief Makoni.
He ordered Mapfumo and Chinenyanga to share the cost of the DNA tests equally.
“The application for compensation is being set aside pending the outcome of the DNA tests. Once the results are available, the court will be in a position to deal with the matter appropriately,” he said.
