adminThubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
A BID by a Midlands State University (MSU) student to dodge responsibility for a child he sired was ruined when he received summons to appear at the maintenance court in Bulawayo.
Raymond Mashizha, 25, was yesterday dragged to court by his estranged girlfriend, Deline Matavire.
Matavire pleaded with magistrate Vivian Ndlovu to grant their four-month-old child $100 maintenance.
In his defence Mashizha said he didn’t know the child had been born until he received the maintenance summons.
“We’ve not spoken since January because we’d issues. She told me she was going to call me so I was waiting for her to tell me the child was born.”
But Matavire shot back, “He was denying the pregnancy that’s why I didn’t call him. All I want is for the child to have access to all the basic necessities as I cannot afford to support him alone.”
Magistrate Ndlovu told Mashizha to be responsible.
“How couldn’t you know the child was born. You claim to have seen her in January. She was pregnant and the child was born in June and you decided not to bother finding out. She is asking for $100, how much can you afford?”
In response Mashizha said he had no source of income since he was still a student.
“I’m doing Masters in Museum Studies at MSU. I will finish next year in May, there’s nothing I can do. I spend my days either at home or campus studying. I don’t get any pocket money from my parents.”
Magistrate Ndlovu told Mashizha that he had to be responsible and scout around for a job since he was now a father.
She advised Matavire to apply for maintenance sometime in June next year since the court terms require that the party have a basic salary for the budget to be made.
derick.khumalo