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Tanyaradzwa Mujati
Weekender Reporter
A Mutare man recently told his wife to look for ways to provide for the couple’s three minor children and stop pestering him for money as he is unfit to work.
Pamela Makuyana appeared before the Mutare Magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato applying for her children’s maintenance from her husband, Phenius Boterekwa.
Makuyana said her husband has not been taking care of their children, adding that he is hiding behind an accident injury.
She said while Boterekwa says he is unable to work due to his injury; he is taking good care of the woman he has moved in with.
“At first I understood him that he was not feeling well. He had been going in and out of surgery. I have been looking after the children and also sending them to school on my own.
“However, I recently realized that I was being used because he is now residing with another woman whom he is fully maintaining while he has abandoned his children. The spinal cord injury is now an excuse as he does not want to be a responsible father to his children,” said Makuyana.
She also said they have been surviving from rentals, adding that her husband is now taking the money and spending it on his mistress.
“We were surviving on rentals and also some charity organizations were helping us. However, the organizations failed to give us anything in the past six months.
“Last month, the organisation gave us US$100 through my husband. He used it and neglected the family. He only gave me US$40 and used the rest.”
Makuyana said she was applying for ZWL25 000 as maintenance for her three minor children.
However, Boterekwa said he was in no position to give her anything as he is unable to work.
“I am not able to work. My back hurts and I have been in and out of surgery; she knows that. How can I afford to give her that money? I cannot promise to pay something that I might end up failing to pay.
“I should offer a figure based on my health and my current health states that I shouldn’t be working. She should look for a way to take care of the children on her own as I am currently incapable of providing for them,” said Boterekwa.
“I am surrendering the children in her hands. She should look for a way to look after the kids. I have told her that she should work like every other woman out there. If I could help I would but currently I cannot help,” he said.
Boterekwa also said he has not been squandering the rental money as alleged by Makuyana. He said his sisters and parents depend solely on the rent.
“The house she is talking about is my parents. Everyone depends on the rentals coming from that house. At first they considered that I needed the money as I am not fit to work. However, they are now saying that I should learn to look after myself. Half of the rent goes to the local authority bills while the rest is shared amongst family members,” said Boterekwa.
“As for the organisations that are helping out, it’s my money, not hers. I am actually doing her a favour by giving her some.
“As I have said before, I surrendered the children to her. She is now the father and the mother of the children and should look for a way to look after the children as I cannot do so.”
Despite Boterekwa’s arguments, Mr Chipato ordered him to pay monthly maintenance in the sum of ZWL25 000.
Online Reporter