Leave comfort zone

Kundainashe Chimbi

MAGISTRATE Sharon Mashavire yesterday told a Harare man to work harder after he offered $10 000 maintenance for his one-year-old child, saying he is unemployed.

Tafadzwa John was told to come out of his comfort zone after being taken to court by his ex-wife, Fatima Muneta, who was claiming $175 000 child support.

“My offer is $10 000 because I am not employed. I make and sell samosas, and I have two other children,” he said.

The magistrate asked him to make a reasonable offer and he increased his offer to $15 000

Muneta turned down the offer.

“I am not accepting it because it is not enough. It will be fair If he can add up to half the amount that I am claiming,” she said.

Magistrate Mashavire intervened saying the court is not there to give orders that do not work.

“The court is not here to give orders that are meaningless and that will not work at the end of the day. Do not come to the court saying you are not employed because that will not work.

“If you do not pay maintenance, you will be arrested and pay while you are at Chikurubi Prison. You need to run around as a father and make sure you provide for your children,” she said.

She then ordered John to pay $40 000.