Chronicle Editor
Tedious Manyepo Herald Reporter
A Harare-based tout has been ordered to pay $35 per month towards the upkeep of his three-year-old child. Tatenda Chitanda had offered to pay $30 per month when he was dragged to the Harare Civil Court by Mavis Chigumira on Tuesday.
Chigumira was demanding $100 as maintenance for the child.
Chitanda said he was not in a position to pay as much as $100 per month for the child’s upkeep since he only realises about $15 a week.
“I am not gainfully employed. Instead, I tread dangerously as a tout, always playing cat-and-mouse with the police. I cannot afford to pay $100 per month as she is demanding, Your Worship. I only realise about $15 per week,” he said.
However, Chigumira insisted that Chitanda was able to pay the $100 she was demanding as he has no other family to look after.
“This man has neglected his child. I am going out of my way trying to fend for the child while he is busy enjoying with other people. My child goes to a crèche and I need money for his fees. I have no one else to leave this child with since I am a hairdresser in town,” said Chigumira.
The magistrate, Ms Yeukai Dzuda, ordered Chitanda to pay $35 as maintenance for his child starting April 30.
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