It’s either US$200 or nothing . . .

18 Nov, 2022 - 00:11 0 Views
It’s either US$200 or nothing . . . Two small entrepreneurs in Mutare’s central business district are at loggerheads over a six-year-old US$200 debt

The ManicaPost

 

Tanyaradzwa Mujati
Weekender Reporter

A MUTARE woman who was demanding US$200 from the father of her child as maintenance withdrew the application after the latter stuck to his guns and said he could not afford it.

Instead of US$200, the respondent was offering to pay US$25 for the upkeep of the minor child.

Mavis Muchichwa could not have it, saying it was better not to receive anything from the father of her child, Tendai Chitaka than being given US$25.

Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato presided over the matter.

Initially, Muchichwa had said she was offering US$20 for the upkeep of her child since maintenance is the responsibility of both parents.

“I can only afford to set aside US$20 for the upkeep of my child. I have two other children and I also need to provide for them,” said Muchichwa.

In her application, Muchichwa said she needed US$100 for the two-year-old’s groceries, while the other US$100 was for the daughter’s medication, crèche fees and clothes.

“I want to send my daughter to crèche. I cannot work while looking after her. I have other children who need to go to school and I should work and provide for them,” said Muchichwa.

She also said Chitaka earns US$500 per month from selling cellphones in Sakubva.

In response, Chitaka said he could not afford the US$200 as he usually earns US$100 per month from selling cellphones in Sakubva.

Chitaka said he has two other children and a wife to look after.

“I do not earn that much. If I get US$100 profit, then that month would have been productive. She knows that because when we were cohabiting we would buy groceries as we go. If I get US$5 that day, we would buy cooking oil and we would wait for the next day. She is just trying to fix me,” said Chitaka.

He argued that he was not sure if the child is his because Muchichwa always tells him that he is not the father during their usual fights.

Chitaka said Muchichwa left their matrimonial home while he was at work.

“She left our matrimonial home the day I gave her money to pay rent. I had abandoned my first wife for her. I also took her in with her two daughters. She despised my two children. I got home only to find my clothes strewn all over the floor. I looked for her and she told me that she had already moved in with another man,” said Chitaka.

Muchichwa said she mistakenly left Chitaka’s bags because the kombi she had hired to transport their property to a new house was full.

“I did not desert our matrimonial home. I meant to come back and get his bags, but I forgot. I only moved out of the house we were staying for a better apartment. I also forgot to tell him where we were moving to,” claimed Muchichwa.

Chitaka also said Muchichwa has been denying him access to the child.

“I am confused if indeed the child is mine. Why does she stop me from seeing her. Her two daughters know what is going on behind my back because each time I see them with my child they change direction to avoid me.

“How can I believe that the child is mine when each time I meet Muchichwa she will be in the company of the man she claims to be her new husband. This shows that the child belongs to this man,” said Chitaka.

Chitaka insisted that he could only pay US$25 for the upkeep of the child, but Muchichwa said she would only accept US$100.

“It is either he gives me US$100 or I will go empty-handed knowing that he has refused to take care of his child. I cannot get US$25 for the upkeep of the child, never. I want to withdraw my application,” charged Muchichwa.

Mr Chipato granted the application withdrawal.

He also advised Chitaka to have a paternity test to verify if the child is his or not to clear the doubt.

 

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