Online Reporter
Alicia Kadzviti
Herald Reporter
A Harare man, Mr Darrius Chiruka, has been ordered to pay US$60 monthly maintenance and contribute towards school fees for his three minor children.
Mr Chiruka’s former partner, Ms Monica Majere approached the Harare Civil Court was seeking US$260 per month for the upkeep of their children aged 14, 12 and seven.
She told the court she wanted him as the father of their children to provide school fees and care.
Mr Chiruka, however, offered to pay US$60 per month, arguing he could not afford the amount his ex-partner was demanding because he earns US$80 per month from his job as a caretaker.
Ms Majere sought to understand how he would be able to foot the school fees under such circumstances, telling the court that the child in primary school had outstanding fees while the one in high school was currently not attending lessons due to non-payment of fees.
She pleaded with the court to intervene saying there their children risked failing to attend school.
In response, Mr Chiruka insisted he could not do more for the children because of financial constraints.
“l want my children to go to school but I am failing to meet the costs due to financial difficulties,” he said.
Ms Majere dismissed his claims accusing him of being dishonest. She told the court that during their relationship, Mr Chiruka had indicated he earned US$150 per month and was now just being cruel and deliberately neglecting his children.
“He is lying to the court and letting our issues affect the children,” she said.
Mr Chiruka maintained his position and offered to call his employer to confirm his salary.
Presiding magistrate Hannah Fazilahmed reprimanded Mr Chiruka saying despite the financial hardships, it was his responsibility as a parent to provide for his children.
“Once you decide to have children, it becomes your responsibility to take care of them. It is not even about the earnings,” she said.
She warned that if the children continued to miss school due to non-payment of fees, it would amount to child abuse and he could be arrested.
In her ruling, Ms Fazilahmed ordered Mr Chiruka to pay US$60 per month as maintenance starting on February 28, 2026.
He was also directed to contribute 50 percent of the children’s school fees beginning this term.
