Online Reporter
Sekai Manyere
A HARARE man who offered to pay just US$20 towards the upkeep and US$30 been ordered to pay US$100 every month by the Harare Civil Court.
Jabulani Madede had also offered to pay US$30 towards the school fees of his three children.
He appeared before magistrate Janemary Makonye after his former wife, Tadzei Matekere, applied for US$200 monthly maintenance for their children aged 15, 11 and 10.
Tadzei told the court that she earns US$180 a month from her job.
Jabulani is a teacher.
She said she needed US$110 to cover the children’s school fees.
Jabulani initially offered to pay only US$20 towards the fees.
The magistrate asked him who was going to cover the balance.
She reminded him that both parents had a responsibility to provide for their children.
He then raised his offer to US$30 for school fees and US$20 for upkeep.
he told the court that he could not afford to pay more because he was not permanently employed.
“I am a temporary teacher earning US$160 and I only get paid during the term, then no payment during the holiday,” he said.
He also told the court that he had other dependants, including his first son, whose school fees he claimed to be paying.
Tadzei, however, disputed this claim.
“He is lying about paying fees for his child. The boy’s mother is the one making payments,” she said.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Makonye granted the maintenance application and ordered Jabulani to pay US$100 per month, effective from September 30, until the children turn 18.
He was also ordered to pay 50 percent of their school fees at the beginning of each term.
