adminLethokuhle Moyo Court Reporter
A SOLDIER has been ordered to maintain his 31-year-old wife until she dies or remarries after she dragged him to the Maintenance Court.
Peter Chirove who earns $344 per month was brought to court by Patience Chauke who was claiming $200 for her upkeep. Chirove and Chauke are legally married but they do not have any children.
Magistrate Vivian Ndlovu presided over the matter and ordered Chirove to pay $100 saying that he is obliged to maintain his wife since they are married.
Chirove claimed that his wife chased him out of their matrimonial home and he then opted to stay with one of his mistresses who works at a sports bar.
He accused Chauke of engaging in extramarital affairs.
The soldier offered $50 as maintenance saying that it was enough as Chauke lives alone and is not paying any utility bills.
“Your worship, what happens is that when I’m at work, she’ll be sleeping with other men. Her customers have been paying for her services and the other one paid her with a phone but unfortunately it got lost,” Chirove said.
“I also cannot afford the money she is demanding because I need something for myself. I’ve to take care of my mother who is of old age.”
His wife said she applied for maintenance because she is unemployed.
She added that they separated three months back after Chirove started staying with another woman.
“I wanted to apply for a passport so that I buy goods from other countries and sell them but he refused. I’m still staying where he left me, in our matrimonial house that we were given,” Chauke said.
“I also need money for me to go to the doctors when I get sick because I’m not on medical aid since he has never given me the card.”
The magistrate ruled that she be paid $100 until she dies or remarries.
Online Reporter