The ManicaPost
Melody Vherenaisi Weekender Reporter
A SAKUBVA woman’s US$300 maintenance application was reviewed downwards to US$50 after the court realised that the woman was applying for maintenance for her children with another man.
Blessing Chirume and Lovemore Mukwena recently appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato, with the former applying for a maintenance upwards review from US$200 to US$300.
However, Mr Chipato ruled that Mukwena should only pay US$50.
Mukwena was also ordered to meet his child’s school fees and other related expenses.
Mukwena had offered to pay US$20 as maintenance, arguing that he is taking care of the child’s school expenses.
He said he did not know about the three children that Chirume had mentioned in her maintenance application as he only has one minor child with her.
He also said Chirume has two children from her relationship with the man she met after they parted ways.
“I do not know the three children that she is talking about because our other two children are above the age of 18.
“The first one is at university and I am paying his school fees. The second one is 20 years old and is not going to school.
“I don’t know why she is claiming maintenance for these two boys, after all she does not stay with them.
“They are staying alone in Sakubva where they are renting an apartment. I am the one who is paying for their rentals and providing food.
“Just last week, I was with one of the boys and I gave him US$60 for rentals,” said Mukwena.
Mukwena also said he is building a house at his rural home to accommodate his two sons.
However, Chirume shot down Mukwena’s claims saying he was lying that he takes care of his two children who are above 18.
She also said Mukwena can afford to pay US$300 as maintenance as he was recently promoted at work and now earns US$600.
“I agree that the two boys are staying in a rented apartment, but every day they come to my house to eat. I stay with my last born, my other two children and my three grandchildren. At times I pay for the boys’ rentals.
“The US$20 he is offering is not enough as I have to take care of my three grandchildren as their mother is in South Africa. Following the death of their father, Mukwena and l agreed to look after them but he is now reneging on his earlier undertaking as he has married another woman.
“The burden is now too much for me. My daughter who is in South Africa is also not sending anything for her children’s upkeep,” said Chirume.
