adminWeekender Correspondent
AFTER claiming $200 from her ex-boyfriend as maintenance for their three-year-old son, a Mutare woman was disappointed when the magistrate settled for only $40 after the man had offered $15 stating that he was facing financial constraints.
Appearing before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sharon Chipanga, recently, Alice Makadzange, said her ex-boyfriend, Ruston Muchewa, earns over $600 and it should show on his son that the father was working.
“Ruston is employed by the National Railways of Zimbabwe and he gets $680 every month so I should not struggle to take care of his child when he is working.
“He should also pay my rentals because I am taking care of his son,” said Makadzange.
Ruston on the other hand said he could not pay $200 because he has three children and other responsibilities.
“Your Worship, I am married with three children and it would be difficult for me to pay $200 maintenance for one child.
“I also have siblings whom I have to send to school.
“Of course, I am employed by the NRZ, but for eleven months now, we have not been paid and so I have been in dire straits.
“Life has been hard Your Worship,” said Ruston as he pleaded with the magistrate.
In her ruling, Mrs Chipanga settled for $40 for the child’s sustenance.
She also trashed Makadzange’s plea to have Ruston pay her rentals saying it was not his obligation to pay her rentals rather he was obliged to take care of the child only.
Said Mrs Chipanga: “You will get $40 every month for the child’s upkeep.
“We have taken into consideration the fact that he has not been paid for months now. To grant $200 for the upkeep of one child when he has three others to fend for would be unfair and quite unreasonable.”
Online Reporter