Teacher disowns deaf son

Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
A KWEKWE teacher shocked a local court when he said he could no longer take care of his disabled child because he was now old enough to fend for himself.

Funwell Nzanza said this when he appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Mrs Vimbai Mutukwa for negligence and abuse.

Nzanza was hauled to court by his former wife, Ms Anna Masilenge, on allegations of neglecting and failure to support his child.

Ms Masilenge, wept in court as she narrated how her husband had been abusive father towards his son.

“He does not even care for his child and does not even pay for the child’s fees saying he is old enough, yet he is disabled,” said a tearful Ms Masilenge.

She told the court that although their child was now 20, he was still attending school.

“Your Worship, our child is now 20 years old but he is in Form 4 at King George High School in Bulawayo where I am paying US$650 per term,” she said.

Ms Masilenge said she was customarily married to Nzanza in 1996 until last year when he moved out of his parents’ house where they used to stay together.Nzanza, however, argued that he could no longer continue to fend for a child who is that old.

Magistrate Mutukwa ordered Nzanza to pay $130 per month as upkeep for the child.