a�?My child likes chips and bacon for breakfasta��

. . Vuyelwa Sibindi
MY babya��s got class!

That was Nolita Gondowea��s line of argument when she took her estranged husband Elliot Gondowe to court for an upward review of child support.

Appearing before magistrate Tinashe Tashaya at Bulawayo Tredgold, Nolita wanted the monthly maintenance fee of $230 upped to $300 because of the childa��s a�?expensive tastea�?.

a�?The child needs groceries and I need money for fuel to take her to and from school. My child likes chips and bacon for breakfast and the types of clothes she wears are pricey,a�? she said.

However, Elliot argued that he was already struggling with the current fee.

a�?I am already struggling as the maintenance fees already take up most of my pay and I am only left with $193 at the end of the month. After paying her the fixed amount, where does she expect me to get more money to pay her; I am doing the best I can at the moment,a�? he said.

He added that Nolita was using the child and the courtA� to fix him for leaving her. The magistrate had no kind words for her.

a�?You cannot use a child and the court to punish your ex-husband and solve your personal disputes with your ex-husband, use a different platform to do that. Having a child is not a crime and being a father is not a jail sentence, therefore no one should be punished for that,a�? Judge Tashaya said.

The two were asked to resolve their personal issues outside the courts and the case was dismissed.