The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
TABLES were turned for a Mutare woman after her baby’s father —whom she was suing for an upwards variation for the maintenance of their child — told the court that she is a well-known gold dealer who leads a lavish lifestyle.
Rafiq Machaka also added that Precious Maunga is a health worker under the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The pair appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Ivy Musavengana last week on Thursday. Machaka said while it is his duty to look after his child, Maunga should also contribute towards the child’s upkeep as she is financially stable.
He told the court that Maunga gets a lot of money from buying and selling gold.
“She is a gold dealer and earns a lot of money from that trade. She is also stealing time from her employer to engage in gold dealings. This is why I have problems with her asking me for maintenance.
“I should be the one applying for maintenance from her because she earns more money than me,” he said. Maunga was applying for an upward variation of the money she gets for the upkeep of her minor child from $100 to $37 000 and US$50. She told the court that Machaka had defaulted in paying the $100 monthly maintenance for three years.
She said Machaka is a manager employed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
However, Machaka vehemently denied being employed. He said he survives on casual jobs in Harare.
“I am not employed. I was never employed by the Government. In fact, I struggle to earn a living or even take care of my wife and children, so I cannot afford to pay the amount that she is asking for,” he said.
Maunga, on the other hand, also denied allegations that she is a gold dealer who is employed as a health worker.
She said Machaka is a negligent father.
“He has never contributed anything towards the upkeep of the child, yet he keeps on insisting that I am a gold dealer. Even if I deal in gold, which I do not, he should contribute towards the upkeep of his child. It is not my duty alone to do so. The money that I am applying for is justified because the child needs a proper upbringing,” she said.
“I am also not a health worker. I do not know where he is getting all that from. I buy and sell things and l’m also a farmer. The court should understand the burden that I have because of this man’s negligence towards his child’s upkeep,” she said.
Ms Musavengana ruled that Machaka should pay $20 000 for the upkeep of his child every month. The money will be paid every month until the child is self-sufficient or turns 18.
