The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A woman from Mutare’s affluent suburb of Murambi is up in arms with her estranged husband as she demands US$500 as maintenance for her children.
In her application, Tapuwa Makumbe said if the order is granted, a large chunk of the amount will be used to cater for her fuel expenses.
The matter recently appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Ivy Musavengana.
Makumbe said she and her minor children were used to a luxurious life before her husband, Lawrence Mutero, divorced her.
She said their living condition should not change because Mutero has moved on.
“Your Worship, I will use most of the money towards fuel expenses because I take the children to and from school daily. Their school is out of town. We were used to a luxurious life and this should continue. This money will also be channelled towards our children’s education.
“The fact that their father has moved on and now has a new family that lacks nothing financially should be enough evidence that my children and I should also be well looked after,” she said.
Makumbe said during the subsistence of her marriage with Mutero, they bought houses around Mutare.
She added that when they divorced, they did not share anything.
“We did not share our properties as we agreed that we would rent them out for the time being and gift them to our children when they are grown up. The rentals are supposed to be used for fuel and every other need for the two children, but he has breached the agreement.
“Instead, he has been using the rentals to spoil his new family while my children are forced to use public transport to and from school.
“They are not used to public transport. I beg this court to order him to stick to our agreement for the sake of our children,” said Makumbe.
Asked on how much he was willing to fork out towards the upkeep of his two children, Mutero pointed out that he was not willing to part with any amount.
He said he was okay with his minor children using public transport to commute to school.
“Your Worship, the bus she is talking about is not public. It is a private school bus and the school is also an expensive one on the outskirts of the city. I do not think anything will happen to them during the daily 20-minute school ride,” he said.
Mutero also denied that he is a rich man who leads a luxurious life with his new family.
“I hustle and get approximately US$100 a month.
“I am actually struggling to pay the school fees for the private school where the children are enrolled at, but I hustle hard as I want them to have the best education.
“Makumbe, however, believes that I am rich because the children are still enrolled at the expensive school. The truth is that I cannot afford to give her any money as I am providing fully for my children. She should not be greedy,” he said.
Makumbe, however, is convinced that Mutero runs a logistics company and that he has haulage trucks plying cross-border routes.
She begged the court to allow her to bring witnesses to attest that Mutero earns more than what he was telling the court.
Ms Musavengana adjourned the matter to September 11 to allow Makumbe to bring some witnesses to court.
