adminMercy Ngwebvu
In a bid to evade $300 maintenance, a Mutare man last week told the court that he was paying over $1 000 as school fees at Africa University and had no money to pay maintenance until he finishes his studies. Appearing before Mutare Magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi, Roderick Mashanyaire offered only $80 for the upkeep of his three children while his wife Chipo Masanzu insisted that he pays $300 as he was a teacher and could manage to part with her requested amount.
However, Mashanyaire said that he had several bank loans which were being deducted from his salary
.“I am facing financial constraints, Your Worship. Bank loans are crippling me and I also have to save for my tertiary studies at Africa University.
“Until I finish my studies, I will not be in a position to pay maintenance. $300 is too much Your Worship. I also have another child whom I take care of.
“The loans which I took were directed to our house which we are building in Zimunya and she still wants me to pay a lot of money for maintenance even when we are staying together,” said Mashanyaire.
Masanzu sang from a different hymn book: “This man is a liar. I was never told anything about any bank loan and I know nothing about a Zimunya house.
“I have been suffering on my own, taking care of the children single handedly. I don’t even stay with him.
“When he started his AU studies he sent me back to my parents’ home saying he now wanted a learned woman.
“The fair thing would be for me to get maintenance so that I can take care of my children. I also got to know about his other child today in this court.”
In passing judgement, the magistrate ordered Mashanyaire to pay $100 as maintenance for the three children.
Online Reporter