The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Correspondent
A Marange man who is determined not to impregnate his wife due to his fear of paternal responsibilities has resorted to using condoms, The Weekender can reveal.
Responding to a maintenance claim by his ex-wife, Blessing Mandimutsira said the three children from his first marriage are enough as he is struggling to provide for them.
“Intimacy with my new wife is less exciting as we are using protection. I cannot afford to have more children. Having three children in this economy is very expensive. I am failing to take care of my children and I do not want to overburden myself by having more,” said Mandimutsira.
He had been hauled before the courts by Mispa Mukwavaya, the mother of his children.
Mukwavaya was seeking $6 000 as maintenance for her three minor children. The pair appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Lazarus Murendo.
Mandimutsira offered to pay US$10 every month for the upkeep of the children. He highlighted that he is unemployed.
“Your Worship, I am struggling and she knows that. That is why she left me. She told me that I was poor and neglecting my family’s needs, yet I had been providing for them to the best of my abilities. Now she wants maintenance from a pauper like me,” said Mandimutsira.
“During our marriage we survived from the commission I got from selling bales of second hand clothes. Now with the Sakubva Flea Market closed, l’m really struggling to make ends meet,” said Mandimutsira.
However, Mukwavaya argued that a monthly pay-out of US$10 would be inadequate for her three children.
Mr Murendo told Mandimutsira to fork out $3 000 every month for the upkeep of the three kids until they turn 18 or become self-sufficient
“You are a father and should look after your children. You cannot come here and boast about your inability to provide for your children. A minimum of $1000 should be offered for each child, although it is still inadequate,” said Murendo.
