adminNoleen Makhurane Court Reporter
A POLYGAMOUS police officer was yesterday dragged to the Bulawayo maintenance court by wife number four for child support. Dimson Shumba, who told the court he is married to four women, has allegedly neglected supporting a child he sired with Florence Mushunje. Mushunje applied for $144 for the upkeep of their nine-month-old baby.
Shumba pleaded with Magistrate Batanai Tuwe to reduce the amount as he had three wives and two children for whom he is responsible.
Shumba made an offer of $30 in child support for his baby claiming that a nine month old could not consume food worth $20 a month.
“I can only offer $30 which is enough for 4kg sugar, cooking oil and mealie meal. She can even get change to buy usavi (relish),” he said.
Shumba told the court that his wife was a vendor and should also cater for the needs of the child.
“I’m paying maintenance for another child in Beitbridge. I’m a civil servant and my salary will not sustain my big family,” he said.
Mushunje said she was the first wife and that when she was at Shumba’s rural home, she never saw the other wives so she assumed they did not exist.
“I never saw his other wives that’s why I’m convinced I’m the only one. I know about the two children but he should give me the money I want,” she said.
Magistrate Tuwe ruled that Shumba should pay $60 in child support.
Online Reporter