Online Reporter
H-Metro Reporter
GOSPEL musician Sabastian Magacha has been ordered to pay US$200 a month as maintenance for his six-year-old daughter as well as to cover half of her school fees.
The payment is effective from June 30, 2023.
This obligation shall continue until the child reaches the age of 18 or becomes self-sustaining, whichever occurs first.
His baby mama was claiming US$250 a month.
It was broken down as follows — US$50 contribution towards the house aide who takes care of the child, US$50 towards the transportation of the child to school, US$70 towards food and lunchbox contributions and US$80 towards activities for the development of the child, including swimming.
She said the mount would also help her buy clothes for their child.
The case spilled into the Harare Civil Court after the baby mama applied for an order for him to play his fatherly role and help in the maintenance of their child.
Magacha was being accused of abandoning his daughter to such an extent that he had virtually forgotten her correct age and ended up celebrating the wrong age when she turned a year older recently.
In her affidavit, Magacha’s baby mama said that in 2018, the two were involved in a romantic relationship which resulted in the birth of the child.
The relationship between the two ended when she was still two months pregnant.
When the child was born, she claimed, Magacha agreed to co-parent and share responsibilities in meeting the daily needs of the baby.
Magacha undertook to contribute to the child’s upkeep by covering school fees, medical expenses for serious illnesses, and paying US$100 per month to cover other expenses, including food.
However, he last fulfilled those obligations in November 2023.
She said since then, Magacha has not contributed anything towards the child’s upkeep.
“I am advised by my legal practitioners that the obligation to maintain a child is not contingent upon one parent only, but it is an obligation of both parents of the minor child,” she wrote in her affidavit.
“Hence, legally, the respondent’s conduct of failing to maintain the minor child is illegal and inconsistent with the law.
“The respondent is a renowned gospel musician, as well as a businessman, who realises profit every month in the entertainment business.
“This means that he actually has the financial capacity to take care of our minor child.
“When we were together, the respondent would make approximately US$1500 for a concert.
“My persistent efforts to follow up on his contribution towards the child’s financial needs have been met with unresponsiveness, which is detrimental to the minor child’s interests.”
Magacha said he earns about US$500 a month as an artist and the money he can afford to pay for the welfare of his six-year-old child is US$100 a month.
Magacha has denied claims that he has not been taking responsibility for the welfare of his daughter.
“I furnish the State that my monthly income is plus or minus US$500,” he said in his opposing affidavit.
“I am not formally employed and I am a gospel artist. That is my source of income and I have no other source of income.
“I have attached a detailed statement from the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association, where they pay each artist a yearly once-off payment for the songs played on air.
“The net revenue from the ZIMURA was US$120 for 2024.
“From my monthly income as stated, I have a wife, and we are blessed with two minor children.
“I pay rentals in the sum of US$250 per month, food and groceries US$70. From my income, against my expenses, I can afford to contribute towards the maintenance of the minor child the sum of US$100 per month, which shall be inclusive.”
Magacha argued that he had been taking care of his child up to last year and blamed the mother for refusing to accept his contributions.
Londile Moyo