The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A MUTARE woman has dragged the man who impregnated her granddaughter to court as she seeks maintenance for her month-old great grandchild.
Making the application on behalf of her 16-year-old granddaughter who was impregnated while still in school, Stella Shatirwa said Anderson Tapona (25) used and dumped the minor before refusing to take care of his child.
The minor was only 14 years old when she was impregnated by Tapona.
During the court hearing, Shatirwa asked for $26 900 for the upkeep of the month-old child.
She also labelled Tapona a negligent father.
Shatirwa told the court that Tapona labelled her minor grandchild a witch and disowned his newly-born baby, vowing that he would not take care of a witch’s child.
“My granddaughter was still in school when Tapona took advantage of her and abused her. She eloped soon after realising that she was pregnant. She was only 14 and her body was too young to carry the pregnancy. When she gave birth, the infant could not breastfeed as she had flat nipples.
“The nurses told us this was happening because she was too young to be a mother. However, Tapona believes that the baby could not breastfeed because my granddaughter is a witch.
“Tapona’s family gave her an ultimatum to either confess or pack her bags and leave. Since she had no confession to make, Tapona and his relatives kicked her out of their home. He is neglecting his child and calls her a witch’s baby,” she said.
The elderly woman said she has been struggling to take care of both her grandchild and great grandchild as she is not employed.
She said they are surviving on the little money they get from vending and farming.
“This farming season has been a bad one for us due to the poor rains. My granddaughter needed special care during her pregnancy and this disturbed my daily chores and we are now struggling to put food on the table.
“Tapona preyed on an orphan and now refuses to take care of his own child. What hurts me most is that my granddaughter was young and still in school when Tapona pounced on her,” said the disgruntled woman.
She said the minor has since gone back to school to continue with her studies.
ln response, Tapona confirmed that he impregnated the minor.
However, he claimed that he was forced by his relatives to kick her out after she failed to breastfeed their child.
“My relatives told me that according to our tradition and customs, if a baby refuses to breastfeed, it means that the mother is a witch or the baby is not mine. I know that the baby is mine, so the only other explanation was witchcraft so we asked her to confess but she did not confess. We were left with no option but to send her packing,” said Tapona.
He, however, told the court that he can only afford to pay monthly maintenance of $5 000 as he gets $16 000 every month.
Shatirwa contested the amount and Tapona was asked to bring a bank statement that confirms his earnings.
After the bank statement was brought before the court, Shatirwa insisted that she needs to ascertain the amount through Tapona’s employer.
The matter was adjourned to June 10 to allow Shatirwa to get the confirmation from Tapona’s employer.
Zimbabwe’s Constitution prohibits boys and girls below the age of 18 from marriage. In fact, it is a criminal offense to have sexual relations or marry below the age of 18.
However, despite this provision, child marriages and teen pregnancies are rampant in the country.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, 33,7 percent of girls aged under 18 are married.
This is one in three girls under 18.
