adminBlessing Rwizi
A MUTARE woman last week stunned the Mutare Civil Court after claiming maintenance for a child she sired with another man from her current husband.
Getrude Murindagomo dragged Moses Musukuto, a student-teacher at Marymount Teachers’ College to court claiming $124 as maintenance for her illegitimate daughter and their three-months-old baby.
Mrs Yeukai Chigodora presided over the matter.
Mrs Chigodora dismissed Murindagomo’s claim and told her that Musukuto should not be held responsible for another man’s child.
The two separated last year following misunderstandings over the paternity of their newly born baby.
Murindagomo only got pregnant in the fifth year of their marriage and Musukuto quizzed the paternity of the child.
Asked if he had anything against her wife’s claim, Musukuto said: “For the five years we have been married she only fell pregnant last year.
“That is when we started having problems over the paternity of the child. I asked her to go to my relatives in Karoi so that we could solve our issues, but she refused. This led to our separation.
“I took my own child with me and she went away with hers and the newly born baby.
“Now she wants me to take care of another man’s baby. I cannot afford that,” said Musukuto.
He offered to pay $15 for the three-months-old baby.
He further told the court that he was retrenched in December 2015 and was now a student.
He said he could not afford anything more than $15.
“I am now a student and I have no other source of income.
“I can only pay $15 for the minor child until I finish my college education and secure a job.
“My brother is the one who is paying for my school fees,” said Musukuto.
Murindagomo disputed Musukuto’s offer and said she took care of his 14-year-old child when they were still a couple.
“I took care of his child and my own before we had this little baby. When we separated he took his own child away and left me with the two. Now I am failing to meet the expenses of taking care of myself and the two children. I need $124 to buy food, clothes, pay rentals and medication for the child,” she said.
In her ruling, Chigodora ordered Musukuto to pay $20 as maintenance for the three-months-old baby with effect from January 31.
Online Reporter