The ManicaPost
Weekender Correspondent
After insisting that he could only pay $100 towards the upkeep of his two children, a Chigodora police officer got the shock of his life after magistrate Ms Nyasha Kuture asked him to get a grocery quotation from a local supermarket.
After learning that the children’s quoted essentials require at least $1 500, Prince Makata stood his ground and told the court that Chipo Foroma, his estranged wife, should learn to improvise.
“I cannot afford what she is demanding and so she should also buy some of the groceries. Is it a crime that I am poor, Your Worship? She should buy maize-meal from the Grain Marketing Board, where it is cheaper. Then she can use the balance to buy vegetables.” he said.
In her application, Foroma had requested a monthly payment of $1 700 towards the children’s upkeep. She said $900 would be for groceries, $300 for school fees, $100 for medication and $400 for the children’s clothing.
She told the court that as a police officer, Makata could afford the amount as he does not have other children.
However, Makata produced his two other children’s birth certificates and told the court that he is their sole provider as their mother passed away long back.
“She knows that, she just wants more money. I have two other children who are in fact older than hers. All those children should get a fair share and with my salary, l cannot afford to pay $1 500 every month,” argued Makata.
Ms Kuture ordered Makata to pay $700 for the upkeep of his two children until they are 18 years old or self-sufficient.
