adminNoleen Makhurane Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO polygamist has been dragged to the maintenance court by his girlfriend who is demanding $200 in child support. Tonderai Mandava said he could not afford the money that Sindisiwe Sibanda was demanding as he was married to two wives. Mandava told Magistrate Adelaide Mbeure that he was looking after his wife in the city and another one at his rural home in Gokwe.
He offered Sibanda $50 for the upkeep of their daughter. “I’m looking after two homes and cannot afford the money she wants. I’ve two daughters that are in primary school and two wives that I’m taking care of,” Mandava said.
Sibanda told the court that she was not aware that Mandava was a polygamist. “I’m shocked to learn that he has another wife. I only know of his wife that lives with him in Selborne Park. He has never mentioned his other wife to me,” she said.
Sibanda told the court that Mandava was a businessman who had a motor spares shop in the city centre and trucks he occasionally hired out. “I don’t get any cent from him. Last week he refused to give me $5 for medication for my daughter and instead bragged to me about his new BMW car that he had just purchased.
“When I ask for money he tells me to ask my parents. He should take responsibility and take care of his daughter,” she said. Mandava said he was leasing a small shop and his trucks had all broken down.
“I’ve no money to buy spares and I owe rent for the little space I rent in a shop. I only make $500 a month after expenses,” he said. Magistrate Mbeure ordered Mandava to pay $150 as child support.
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