Man offers US$30 for son (14)

Natasha Mbewe

A HARARE man made a conditional offer of US$30 a month for the upkeep of his 14-year-old son and school fees.

This was rejected by his ex-wife.

Zivanai Sibanda made the offer after being dragged to the maintenance court by his ex-wife, Caroline Mukwindidza.

His son is out of school and Sibanda demanded that he be shown his Grade 7 results first, before he could commit to paying maintenance and fees.

But, Mukwindidza accused Sibanda of being an irresponsible father.

“The child is old and we cannot continue sharing the same room.

“Your Worship, this man has not been taking care of his child.

“Since 2014, he has not paid any fees or bought food.

“I do not have a problem with giving him the school reports.

“The child should have been in Form 2, but he is at home because we have not yet collected his Grade 7 results because his fees are in arrears,” Mukwindidza said.

Magistrate Ayanda Dhlamini ordered Sibanda to pay US$40 maintenance, plus school fees, for his son.

She also ordered him to clear his son’s school fees arrears.