The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Weekender Correspondent
THERE was drama at Mutare Civil Court last week as a Mutare teenager wept uncontrollably and threatened to dump her baby as her child’s father refused to contribute towards the upkeep of the minor.
An extremely emotional Shannel Itauno (17) struggled to contain her emotions throughout the hearing.
She told Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato, that Tafirenyika Majongwe is denying paternity of the child.
Considering Itauno’s age, she was also a victim of statutory rape when she got pregnant since the age of consent for sexual intercourse is 16 under Zimbabwean law.
Itauno also claimed that Majongwe infected her with a sexually-transmitted disease.
Majongwe, who looked unfazed, told the court that he is not sure of the baby’s paternity and is ready to undergo deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) paternity tests to put the issue to bed.
“I want to make sure the DNA tests are conducted. We need to do these tests because the baby may not be mine. I get a salary of US$18 a week, which is US$72 a month. I don’t get much at work. I will only afford to pay $2 000as maintenance,” he said before questioning Mr Chipato: “But what if we undergo DNA tests and then discover that the baby is not mine?”
In response, Mr Chipato said he would order the maintenance payments to stop.
But Itauno insisted that Majongwe infected her with an STI, adding that she and her child are living in abject poverty.
“He once dumped me in the bushes when I told him I wanted his support. He has been constantly denying responsibility, saying the baby is not his. I don’t know what to do. If he is behaving like this it is better that he goes with the child because I cannot take it anymore,” she said.
A woman whose identity was not established, but had accompanied Itauno to court chipped in.
“She is just a young lady who does not even know how to breastfeed or take care of the child. I sometimes assist her, but I also have my own responsibilities. This man is a disgrace and we don’t know why he is denying paternity when he is the father of the child.
“This young woman received treatment for an STI. She is confused and does not even know whether the money that he is offering is enough. $5 000 would be better, although it is not enough,” she said.
Mr Chipato ordered Majongwe to pay $5 000 for the upkeep of the minor child.
