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grown accustomed to in the United Kingdom.
Otilliah Zulu told the court that her husband, Ezra Zulu, was capable of paying the sum.
“He also has a chain of properties and a clinic called Mabvuku Family Clinic. We used to live a lavish life and he sent us to the UK and he maintained us.
“He only stopped looking after us in 2009 when he rented a house for his girlfriend in Chisipite.
“My children are now subject to social services, they are surviving on handouts,” she alleged before the Harare Magistrates’ Civil Court.
She told the court that she is currently unemployed but was a nurse in the UK. The court heard that the children go to school in the UK.
“The children have different needs. The two boys need (a) breakfast club, football fees and insurance, school trips and food among others.
“The girl is at university and she needs rent, clothing, mobile phone allowances and I want to pay for a television set which I bought on hire purchase,” she said.
The court was told that Otilliah found her husband’s lover staying in their matrimonial home.
Ezra, however, offered US$50 arguing that his company had closed.
“The company closed down and she contributed to its closure. The clinic is there in Mabvuku and her relatives are the ones looking after it,” he said.
Magistrate Ms Shelly Zvenyika heard the matter and deferred ruling.
Meanwhile, a Rio-Tinto student offered US$3 per month as maintenance for the upkeep of his seven-year-old child.
Jeremiah Shumba, who had been brought to the maintenance court by his wife Chengetai Shumba, said he was also a dependant.
“I am offering US$3. I am a student at Rio Tinto and my brother is looking after me,” he said.
Chengetai had approached the court seeking US$100 per month and confirmed that the father of her child was himself a dependent.
She told the court that they were married in terms of Chapter 5:11 of the Marriages Act but Jeremiah was staying with another woman.
Magistrate Ms Shelly Zvenyika heard the matter and ordered Jeremiah to pay US$50 per month.
Online Reporter