adminMelody Baya, Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO man went head to head with his son before the Maintenance Court yesterday following his bid to have maintenance payments to the school going 18-year-old teenager terminated.
Happy Ncube told Magistrate Adelaide Mbeure that he could no longer afford to pay maintenance for his son Bradley Ncube as he has come of age and there are two other minor children who need to be provided for.
“I have two other minor children I have to take care of and 4years left before I retire,” said Ncube.
“I can pay the school fees for him but relieve me of the maintenance because he is no longer a minor and it has become a burden for me as my net salary is only $380 per month.”
Bradley opposed his father’s court application saying his parent could not only take care of his school fees expenses only as he had other basic needs such as food.
“I pray that this court extends the maintenance until 2017 because I stay with my grandfather who is unemployed. If my father says he will take care of my fees that won’t be enough because I also have to eat,” said Bradley. “I also wish to further my studies after I finish supplementing my Ordinary level and proceed to Advanced level.”
Ncube was initially paying $60 as maintenance for Bradley.
Magistrate Mbeure will deliver judgment on the matter on October 29.
Bongani Ndlovu