$19 000 maintenance claim for one child

20 Nov, 2020 - 00:11 0 Views
$19 000 maintenance claim for one child The man is also being charged with perjury

The ManicaPost

Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Correspondent
A Mutare hairdresser stands accused of neglecting his child.

Norman Chigayo was dragged to court by Antoinette Sigauke who was applying for an upward maintenance variation from $4 800 to $19 000 for their 11-year-old child.

Sigauke said Chigayo serves an elite clientele and earns US$800 every month. She said despite this, Chigayo last contributed towards the child’s upkeep in March.

“He gets around US$800 a month, he is so good at what he does and his clients pay him handsomely. He gets a lot of money and I know that if he wants, he can pay the money that I am requesting for,” said Sigauke.

Chigayo has been paying US$60 since 2012, which amounts to about $4 800 using the official interbank rate.

Chigayo confirmed his earnings.

He, however, said since the national lockdown came into effect in March, business has been low, adding that he is now getting around US$200 every month.

“I am willing to part with US$40 every month for the upkeep of my child. I have three other children and a wife, while Sigauke has re-married. She wants more money from me to look after her family, not my child,” he said.

Chigayo also said Sigauke is in the habit of giving her grandmother the money he pays as maintenance for his child.

He also begged to be granted access to his child.

In passing his decision, Mr Murendo had no kind words for the couple. He ordered them to be at peace with each other for the child’s sake.

“The amount you are claiming is out of this world when we consider what the father claims to be earning under lockdown. It is very clear that the money you are claiming is not for a single child, but for a whole family.

‘‘You need to set aside your differences when it comes to the upkeep of the child. Maintenance is not meant to fix each other, it is for the child’s well-being,” said Mr Murendo.

He ordered Chigayo to pay $5 000 monthly for the upkeep of the child.

Share This:

Sponsored Links

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds