The ManicaPost
Blessing Rwizi Weekender Correspondent
AN estranged Mutare woman on Tuesday left the court stunned when she gave an improbable breakdown of the $383 that she was claiming for her five-months-old baby.
Tafadzwa Promise Rubvuwe had dragged the father of her child, Albert Christopher Dodo, a ZRP officer stationed in Penhalonga to Mutare Civil Courts claiming maintenance for the child they sired together.
She stated that she needed $100 for the infant’s maize-meal, cooking oil and shoe polish before anything else.
She also claimed $70 for toiletries and $70 for the child’s medications among other things.
“In case the child gets ill, I need $70 for her medication as well as $70 for Harpic and other toiletries. This child eats a lot so I need $100 for the maize-meal to prepare her porridge, buy shoe polish and cooking oil. I need some of the money for tea and potatoes. The rest will go to rentals. I have no source of income Your Worship,” said Rubvuwe.
The unrealistic claims resulted in the presiding magistrate, Miss Nyasha Kuture reminding Rubvuwe that the child they were talking about was only five-months-old.
“This minor child is only five-months-old and what is the need for shoe polish, toiletries and maize-meal worth $80 for her porridge only? You should not come to lie or make jokes with the court,” said Miss Kuture.
She also reminded her that she could neither claim spousal maintenance since she was not married to Dodo.
Dodo offered to pay $40 for the minor child.
His pay slip stated that his net monthly salary was $234.
He told the court that he obtained a loan this year to pay lobola to Rubvuwe’s parents, buy preparations for the child and pay the hospital bills when she gave birth to their child.
“I can afford $40 per month Your Worship. I obtained a loan early this year to pay lobola to her parents, buy preparations for the child and pay the hospital bills when she gave birth to their child. I used to send her $50 per month when things were fine, but she sounds like I have been doing nothing,” said Dodo.
He added that he was also taking care of his mother.
In her ruling, Miss Kuture ordered him to pay $80 as monthly maintenance for the minor child with effect from July 31.
