Online Reporter
Sharon Jiyamwa
Herald Reporter
A Harare woman’s bid to regain custody of her minor child has failed after the Harare Civil Court awarded custody to her former husband amid allegations that she deals in illicit drugs.
Blessing Mawaro had approached the court seeking an order compelling her former husband, Gerald Dangarembizi, to return their minor child.
Mawaro told presiding magistrate Ms Janemary Makonye that on January 29 this year, she contacted Dangarembizi after their child fell ill so that they could jointly arrange medical treatment.
She said Dangarembizi insisted on taking the child, promising to return the minor after two weeks.
However, Mawaro said Dangarembizi failed to return the child as promised, prompting her to approach the court seeking custody.
“I called him so that we could help each other get the child treated, but he took the child and never brought him back as agreed,” she stated.
However, Dangarembizi strongly opposed giving back the child’s custody to Mawaro, arguing that she was an unfit mother due to her involvement in dangerous drugs.
He told the court that he would not allow his child to be raised in such a toxic setting.
“She sells marijuana, and I do not want my child to grow up in such a toxic environment,” Dangarembizi argued.
To substantiate his claims, Dangarembizi tendered photographic evidence along with text message exchanges into the court record, detailing Mawaro’s alleged illicit trade.
After considering the submissions and the evidence brought before the court, Magistrate Ms Makonye ruled in favour of Dangarembizi, granting him custody of the minor child.
