The ManicaPost
Melody Vherenaisi
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE woman recently appeared before the Mutare Magistrates Civil Court applying for US$500 for the upkeep of her child with her ex-husband whom she claimed owns a fleet of fuel tankers.
However, Sphiwe Mugari left the court disappointed after Noah Hurungudza was ordered to only pay the US$150 that he had offered.
This was after Mugari failed to prove that Hurungudza owns the trucks.
Hurungudza argued that he does not own any trucks and is currently unemployed.
Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato presided over the matter.
Mugari told the court that the US$150 was not enough for the upkeep of the child since the cost of living has gone up.
She insisted that Hurungudza should give her US$500 as he can afford it.
“He is a businessman who owns trucks and lives a luxurious life. He can afford to pay US$500 as maintenance for his child. To him, US$500 is nothing as he has two other wives and five children. These two other women and their children are staying in Morningside suburb of Mutare,” said Mugari.
She also said she wants her child to enjoy a similar lifestyle like Hurungudza’s other children who are enrolled at an expensive private boarding school.
“All his five other children are enrolled at an expensive private boarding school, yet my child is suffering. This is unfair, all children should be treated equally,” said Mugari.
“He owns three expensive cars and can afford US$500 maintenance. I have been suffering with the child as Hurungudza never provided anything for her upkeep. The child is now doing Form One and the burden is becoming too much for me.
“I paid US$530 for her school fees, while other school related expenses amounted to about US$500, bringing the total amount I spent on the child to more than US$1 000,” she said.
Hurungudza said while he is a truck driver, he is currently unemployed.
He said when employed, his salary ranges from US$500 to US$1 000, depending on the trips.
He said his two wives are taking care of him and their respective families since he is unemployed.
Hurungudza even expressed shock on Mugari’s application maintenance for the child.
“When the child was born, Mugari said I was not her father. She was quiet all these years and at one time, she even applied for a protection order against me and barred me from visiting her to access the child,” said Hurungudza.
