Man ordered to obtain child’s birth certificate

Kundainashe Chimbi

A Harare woman said her former husband is yet to acquire a birth certificate for their five-year-old child.

Moleen Musvosvi took her ex-husband, Nomen Chibukwa, to the Harare Civil Court claiming $160 000 maintenance.

Musvosvi accused Chibukwa of neglecting his child.

She also made an application that he be ordered to acquire a birth certificate for their child.

“I want $160 000 so that I can buy clothes, groceries and pay medicals and school fees for the child.

“I also want him to acquire a birth certificate for our child so that the child can get a place at a formal school,” she said.

In response, Chibukwa offered $80 000 saying he does not earn much. “What she is claiming is too much because I do not earn much.

“My offer is $80 000,” he said.

On the birth certificate issue, Chibukwa said the problem is that the birth record is incorrect.

“When we approached the offices responsible for birth certificates, we were told that the birth record was incorrect,” he said.

Magistrate Ayanda Dhlamini granted the order and ordered Chibukwa to pay $60 000 maintenance, pay school fees and buy uniforms.  He was also ordered to obtain a birth certificate for the minor child.