adminAnswer Sithole
A BULAWAYO-based man accused a Mutare magistrate of being heartless when he was ordered to pay $70 maintenance every month for his one minor child with effect from December 31.
Godfrey Mutero and Martha Gapara appeared in Mutare civil court before Magistrate Mrs Sharon Chipanga with the latter claiming maintenance last Monday.
Gapara initially wanted $200 saying that the child will be going to Form One next year.
“Am claiming $200 maintenance as the child is about to go to Form One. The father has not been supporting the child for long now and he will be away. He stays in Bulawayo with another wife and he has neglected his child.
“He dumped me when the child was young and the only time he does something, he only sends $20 or even less, which is not even enough to buy groceries for one person.
“He makes a lot of money from his buying and selling business. All am asking him right now is to be a father to his son.” said Gapara.
The respondent, Mutero, was in disagreement with the $200 maintenance which was proposed by Gapara saying that he was not making much from his business of buying and selling though he sells his merchandise in Zambia and Botswana.
“I cannot afford to maintain my child at $200 every month because there is no real business at the moment. In as much as I sell my merchandise in Zambia and Botswana or even beyond, am not making it still. So I will only offer $50 for the minor child.” said Mutero.
When asked by Magistrate Mrs Chipanga whether $50 was enough for a child who is about to go to Form One, he became so emotional that he ended up saying nonsense in the court.
He was ordered to pay $70 maintenance, which did not go down well with Mutero who lashed out at the magistrate saying she was heartless.
“I cannot afford to pay such an amount and what it means is that you want me to be arrested for failing to pay the amount. If I get arrested who will then take care of the child when I am away in jail?” said Mutero.
The court burst into laughter as Mutero kept on lashing at the magistrate.
Magistrate Mrs C hipanga told him that it was his decisions that mattered in life, not anyone else’s, and he should also consider the welfare of his own child.
Online Reporter