Woman claims US$300 spousal support

Clotilder Mwanza

A Harare woman claimed spousal maintenance, saying she feels neglected by her husband.

Tinotenda Ngoma yesterday told magistrate Ayanda Dhlamini that her husband, Gerald Ngoma, was not taking care of her as a husband should of his spouse.

“My husband has abandoned me and the children. I recently lost my job due to sickness and I want him to take care of me and our four children.

“I want him to pay US$300, which will cover everything because he has a good paying job. I am his responsibility because we are legally married. He should take care of his family,” she said.

However, Gerald offered Tinotenda only US$50 a month.

“I am employed, but I don’t have a good paying job as she says. I cannot afford to give her the amount she is claiming because I also have parents to support.

“It doesn’t make sense for a married woman to claim spousal maintenance. I no longer trust my wife, and am afraid that she might get into prostitution. I can see that she is after money. How can a normal wife claim US$300 from her husband?

Magistrate Dhlamini ordered Gerald to pay US$150 every month plus school fees for the children directly to the school.