adminA MAN claiming to be an egg vendor facing financial constraints offered $20 for the upkeep of his two children after his ex-wife had made an $80 maintenance claim against him.
Appearing before Mutare magistrate Mr Langton Mukwengi, Thelma Munyari was claiming maintenance from Evidence Zvavanhu, saying he was neglecting their two children despite his monthly earnings of $200.
Zvavanhu, however, told the court that he could only pay $20 instead of the $80 which Munyari wanted, saying the eggs he sells do not fetch enough to take care of him, let alone the two children.
“Your Worship, I can only pay $20 because I sell eggs and they do not fetch enough for me to take care of myself.
“$80 would kill me, Your Worship, because I do not earn $200 per month as she is assuming.
“I am also married with another child,” said Zvavanhu as he pleaded with the court to be lenient with him.
Asked how much he uses for his own upkeep per month, Zvavanhu said he used $30 to which Mukwengi said: “So if you use $30 to take care of yourself, don’t you think $20 for two children will be too little? Sir, you need to be realistic when you come to this court.”
In his ruling, Mr Mukwengi ordered Zvavanhu to pay $50 with effect from July 31.
Meanwhile, a woman’s $150 maintenance claim for one child hit a brick wall after Mr Kuwengi ordered the defendant to pay $30.
Patience Makomo, who was claiming maintenance from Daniel Nkosi, left the courtroom disappointed after Mr Mukwengi said Nkosi should pay $30 because he was married with another child to take care of.
Nkosi had also produced a payslip which showed that he earned $102 instead of the initial $220 which Makomo thought was his monthly salary.
Online Reporter