Vendor to pay $12 maintenance

Lethokuhle Moyo Court Reporter
A SWEETS street vendor was yesterday ordered to pay $12 in child support per month after his wife took him to court.
Sydine Mahonde told Bulawayo magistrate Vivian Ndlovu that he earns between R18 and R20 per day, and thus he could not afford the $80 his wife, Rosemary Shoriwa, was demanding.

Mahonde told the court that he wished for his son to get all the basic things in life but that was not possible as he was unemployed.

“I’m unemployed, but I sell sweets only. I get R18 to R20 a day. I wish to do everything that my child needs and if I get the money I will support my son,” he pleaded with the court.

“I still love my wife. I want her back but if she doesn’t want to come then I’m willing to give her $12 per month.”

Shoriwa, who is now living with her parents, said she brought Mahonde to court because he had failed to co-operate when she told him that their son was sick.

“We separated two years ago. Mahonde ran away from me when I got pregnant. I ended up going to Harare to stay with my parents,” she said.

“My parents have been taking care of me and the child. In the meantime, my son is staying with my aunt. He has not been doing anything for the child.”

The magistrate set maintenance at $12 after hearing Mahonde’s pleas of poverty.