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Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter
AN unemployed Nkulumane woman yesterday demanded $3,284 monthly maintenance from her estranged husband for her upkeep as well as that of their two children.
Precious Kudzai Chindito told Bulawayo magistrate Vivian Ndlovu that she wanted nearly half of Titus Dube’s monthly salary of over $7,000. Dube works for a firm based in up-scale Midrand, in South Africa.
“I need a total of $3,284 for the upkeep of our children aged eight and three. Their father works in South Africa and I am aware that he can afford my claim,” she said.
Dube did not turn up for the hearing.
Chindito told the court that she sent the court papers to Dube on August 4.
Magistrate Ndlovu advised her to serve the papers again to Dube, before applying for another court date.
In her breakdown submitted tendered to the court, Chindito said she needs $1,200 for the children’s school fees and uniforms monthly as well as $400 for shoes and clothing, $100 for water and electricity and $400 for rent, also per month.
Chindito also claimed $60 for meat and vegetables, $24 for toiletries, and $80 for a maid in addition to other things.
Recently, Bulawayo magistrate Marilyn Mutshina chastised women for demanding excessive amounts from their spouses.
She said women should not use the court to settle personal scores with their estranged lovers.
Mutshina was making a ruling in a case involving a woman who was demanding $200 and four pockets of potatoes that she said were needed her nine-month-old baby.
The magistrate said women should understand the state of the economy before making outrageous demands just to “punish” men.
On average, a family of six needs about $504 per month in line with the poverty datum line.
Scores of men including prominent politicians, businessmen, musicians and senior uniformed officers are feeling the heat of maintenance.
Recently, an ex-lover to the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Cde Dzikamayi Mavhaire filed a court application demanding $1,200 monthly maintenance for the upkeep of their three-year-old child. Sungura musician Alick Macheso’s estranged second wife, Fortunate Tafadzwa Mapako, also made headlines after she demanded $7,130 for the upkeep of the couple’s two minor children, but the claim was revised downwards by the court.
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