adminNoleen Makhurane Court Reporter
A Bulawayo man yesterday tried to use his HIV status to get the money he pays for the maintenance of his child reduced from $45 to $25. Fungai Saungweme of Entumbane suburb told Magistrate Tinashe Tashaya that his health was deteriorating and he could not work to support his child. He pleaded for a reduction on the amount that he pays to his former girlfriend Mary Svosvi, for the maintenance of their 14-month-old baby.
“I was diagnosed with TB and HIV and my body is no longer the same as it used to be”, he said.
“I’m not employed and don’t have a source of income. I depend on my wife’s small business and I pay fees for my Grade Zero child who is asthmatic.”
Svosvi told the court that Saungweme stopped supporting his baby finacially, last year.
“He’s disclosing his status so that the court sympathises with him as he is in arrears of $765. He has never told me he is sick and I’m not aware of his HIV status”, she said.
Magistrate Tashaya dismissed Saungweme’s plea.
He said Saungweme should continue paying $45 a month as he is able bodied and can still work.
Online Reporter