The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE man is accusing his ex-wife of hiding their two children to avoid DNA tests.
Maxwell Mudhombodzi filed an application at Mutare Magistrates’ Court seeking an order for his Murambinda-based ex-wife, Ratidzo Mugomba, to be compelled to submit their two children for DNA tests.
The matter was heard by Mutare magistrate, Ms Perseverance Makala.
The couple separated in 2014 due to their irreconcilable differences and the children in question are aged 13 and 10 respectively.
Mudhombodzi alleged that Mugomba was promiscuous during the course of their marriage.
He said during the course of their marriage, he received calls from a man who claimed that one of the children was his.
He said that, coupled with Mugomba’s refusal to let him have access to the children, gave him doubts over the paternity of the children.
Now as he demands some DNA tests, Mugomba is refusing to avail the children.
Mudhombodzi’s application reads: “When I was married to Mugomba, I was suspicious that she was having extra marital affairs, which I later discovered to be true. This led to the breakdown of our marriage.
Maxwell Mudhombodzi
“When the first child was born, I received telephone calls from someone claiming that the child was his. I ignored the messages until recently when the issue crept up again.
“I am no longer at peace with the thought that the children may not be mine. I believe it is in the best interest of the children to have the paternity tests. I have been looking after the children and I am contributing towards their upkeep.
“Despite this, I am denied access to the children. I believe it is because of this issue. I want to ascertain the paternity of the children so that I can also assert my rights if I am confirmed as their father and also to be able to contribute towards their maintenance with a free mind,” wrote Mudhombodzi.
He said after discussing the paternity issue with Mugomba and agreeing to go for the DNA tests, he paid US$296 for Global DNA to conduct the tests, only for his ex-wife to change her mind on the day that the tests were supposed to be conducted.
“She shifted goalposts on the day of the appointment. She was nowhere to be seen. She is now refusing to bring the children for the tests. I stand prejudiced if the tests are not done,” he said.
In her opposing affidavit, Mugomba said Mudhombodzi is the one who had cheated on her several times during the course of their marriage.
“His cheating led to our separation. He is not being truthful. In actual fact, he is the one who was involved in extra-marital affairs. He never cared about the children and he rarely comes to see them. If he indeed wants to see his children, he should be seeking access to them,” she said.
She also denied allegations that they had discussed and agreed on the paternity tests. She said she only got to know about the issue through Mudhombodzi’s application.
“We never discussed about paternity tests for the children. It is shocking to see this application. He never told me about the need to do the paternity tests. I only got to know of it by his frivolous application to this court. The children have actually been missing their father as he rarely visits them,” wrote Mugomba.
Ms Makala adjourned the matter to December 8.
