Online Reporter
Takudzwa Mangrozah
Herald Reporter
A man who claimed unemployment had left him unable to support his two children has been ordered by the Civil Court to pay US$100 a month in maintenance and share school fees equally with his ex-wife.
Ms Definite Pawanda had applied for US$200 for the upkeep of the children but the court set the maintance at US$100.
When asked how much he could reasonably contribute, Mr Shepherd Dindingwe told the court he had no fixed income.
“I am currently unemployed, so I cannot give a figure. When I get some money I give her but she still complains that it’s not enough, yet it is all I have,” he said.
Mr Dindingwe said he had previously paid school fees but stopped due to lack of income.
“I suggested sending the children to live in the rural areas as I cannot afford urban life, and she refused, saying she wants them close,” he said, insisting he wanted to take care of his children but lacked the means.
However, Ms Pawanda disputed his claims, telling the court that Mr Dindingwe was not being truthful and actually held two jobs.
“He told me he won’t take care of the children unless they stay with his mother. He also left me when I was five months pregnant and is not caring for the child,” she said.
Presiding magistrate Hannah Fazilahmed ordered Mr Dindingwe to pay US$100 monthly maintenance.
She further ruled that all school-related expenses should be shared equally between the two and paid directly into the school account.
