The ManicaPost
Blessing Rwizi Weekender Correspondent
AN elderly Mutare woman on Monday brought his son-in-law before the courts for failing to cater for his son’s needs.
Judith Masuka appeared before Miss Nyasha Kuture claiming $150 as monthly maintenance from Chipo Matovanyika whom she accused of failing to fend for his six-year-old son.
Matovanyika has since divorced Masuka’s daughter.
The court heard that the six-year-old boy has not been attending school due to non-payment of fees.
“Matovanyika has not been taking care of his child for years now and I am struggling to raise funds for his school fees.
“Right now he is not going to school and I need the court’s intervention so that this man pays the fees. I am only a vendor getting between $10 and $15 each month,” said Masuka.
Judith Masuka
She could not disclose where the mother of the child is.
In response, Matovanyika told the court that he prefers staying with the child than paying maintenance, but the court advised him that he was in court for maintenance, not child custody.
“I have eight other children so I was thinking it would be better if I take this child to stay with him with the other eight, than paying maintenance.
“Moreover, I have a wife and other relatives to take care of. My net salary at the moment is $186 since I obtained a loan from a microfinance company,” he said.
He later offered to pay $10 for the child.
In her ruling, Miss Kuture ordered Matovanyika to pay $17 for the child with effect from February 28.
