MP dragged to court over child upkeep

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
ZANU-PF acting Midlands Provincial Chairman and Chiwundura MP, Kizito Chivamba has been dragged to court by his former mistress for allegedly neglecting their daughter, 8. Alice Magodhi of Five Brigade in Kwekwe is demanding from the legislator $878 monthly for the upkeep of their daughter and $7,000 in damages.

Through her lawyers, Mutatu and Partners legal practitioners, Magodhi alleged that Chivamba neglected the child since birth and was reluctant to cater for her upkeep. In the court summons, Magodhi claimed that she suffered a stroke and was no longer able to fend for the child alone, therefore, Chivamba should also provide for the child.

“I approach this court to force the respondent to take care of his child. I understand that in terms of the law there’s no pleasure without responsibility. Surely the respondent can’t be called a Member of Parliament when he is reluctant to take care of his own child,” reads part of the court summons. Chivamba will appear in court on 11 March. In May last year, Chivamba committed himself to paying $7,000 in damages. Through an affidavit, the legislator proposed to pay $400 a month until he cleared the amount. “I, Kizito Chivamba, of 4603 Mambo, Gweru, take an oath to pay for the damage in the upkeep of my daughter,” reads part of the affidavit form where his wife was also a witness.

However, Chivamba only paid a single instalment. The case numbers of the two summonses are M98/15 and 176/15.Magodhi said she had suffered a stroke that left her left side paralysed and was now relying on charity and support from family members.

Chivamba said: “This matter is an old issue. I’m yet to be served with the summons. You once covered this matter sometime last year.”