The ManicaPost
Prayer Muronzerei
Post Reporter
A 29-YEAR-OLD Chimanimani man is disputing the paternity of his two children and is refusing to pay maintenance for them.
This emerged at the Mutare Civil Court where Anita Sahera had dragged her husband, Peter Muradzikwa seeking the court’s intervention to make him provide for his family.
Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato heard the matter.
“Your Worship, I eloped to this man’s place after I fell pregnant. We stayed together and everything was fine until we had our second child. Problems cropped up when he started visiting prophets with his parents where he was told that the children did not belong to him. He stopped providing for the children. I have no doubt that he is the biological father of our children,” said Sahera.
Muradzikwa refused to budge, maintaining his stance that he doubts the paternity of the children.
He told the court that the prophets he consulted had told him so.
“I am actually surprised why she has brought this matter to court, Your worship. We have already been to our village elders who are handling the issue. Besides, the money she is claiming as maintenance is not even half of what I earn. I survive as a porter. I can only afford $1 000,” said Muradzikwa.
He added that he was trying to raise enough money for DNA tests to ascertain the paternity of the children.
Muradzikwa said he is bitter with his wife for having the second child as it was an unplanned pregnancy.
He also claimed that he had intercepted lurid chats Sahera was having with other men.
Mr Chipato ordered Muradzikwa to pay $4 000 for the children’s upkeep.
“However, if the DNA tests prove that the children are, indeed, not yours, you can sue her and demand your money back,” said Mr Chipato.
