adminLea Mutanda
A Harare-based woman has approached the civil court claiming a monthly maintenance of $11 000 from her ex-husband who is a cell phone dealer.
The 28-year-old woman defended the claim arguing that she needed to take care of their three children.
Appearing before magistrate Nyasha Marufu, the estrangedAbigail Mutetwa said her former husband, Louis Machira, had the capacity to pay $11 000 per month.
“Your Worship I have three children with this man (Machira) and now l cannot afford to look after them,” she said.
“I am claiming this amount because my ex-husband has a table full of phones; so l know he can afford it.
“I want Machira to pay $11 000 as maintenance because school fees and school uniforms are now expensive.
“Our first born child is now 14 years old and is enrolling for his secondary education and I cannot afford to pay school fees.”
Mutetwa told the Harare civil court that she was earning a meagre income from her vending business.
In response, Machira pleaded with the court that he could not afford the $11 000 monthly maintenance fee.
“I cannot afford what she is asking for Your Worship. It is way above my monthly income,” he said.
“I do not sell phones; l fit shatter-proof glasses on cellphones which give me about $25 per day.
“I also use the money to meet my other needs. In her ruling, Marufu ordered Machira to pay $300 per month to cater for his three children.
Online Reporter