Online Reporter
Anotida Chonzi
Herald Correspondent
A HARARE man has been ordered to pay US$120 and ZiG2 500 monthly as maintenance for his two children, following claims by his ex-lover that he abandoned the family to marry another woman.
Princess Chiweshe dragged Tawanda Basiyawo to the Harare Civil Court, where she told Magistrate Ms Faina Makumbe that Basiyawo deserted her and their children after taking money from their household to pay lobola for another woman.
“He left me and the children with absolutely nothing — no food, no money — to pay lobola for another woman,” Chiweshe said.
She told the court that she survives on selling ladies’ footwear, earning only about US$50 per month, which is insufficient to cover rent, food or school fees.
She asked the court to order Basiyawo to pay US$400 monthly, claiming he earned US$600 as a bus driver for Nyaradzo and had no other dependants.
In response, Basiyawo disputed her claims, insisting that his salary was US$320, not US$600.
He said he could only afford to pay US$120 while continuing to cover school fees directly.
“I pay school fees for my children, and they even go on trips. I don’t have any arrears and will continue paying,” he said.
He added that he also had expenses, including rent, food and caring for his new wife.
Magistrate Makumbe ruled that Basiyawo should pay US$120 and ZiG 2 500 in monthly maintenance, in addition to covering school fees directly until the children reach adulthood.
