In a surprising turn of events, a Harare court has ordered a female school teacher, Memory Mawarire, to pay US$60 in monthly maintenance to her former husband, Innocent Ndingani, a police officer. The court has also mandated that she share the responsibility of paying their two children’s school fees.
The case was brought before the Harare Civil Court by Ndingani, who sought financial assistance from his ex-wife. In his application, Ndingani stated that he and Mawarire were married for 14 years, from 2009 to 2023, and have two children together.
Ndingani argued that Mawarire was not contributing to the children’s upkeep or education. “She is not helping me to feed the children or pay school fees for both children,” he claimed. He further stated that despite the court granting Mawarire custody of the children, she had given them to him. “Despite being given the custody by the court, she gave me the children,” Ndingani said.
Mawarire, however, presented a different account. She countered Ndingani’s claims, asserting that she returns home every weekend to care for the children. She also stated that she was responsible for purchasing their school uniforms.
Mawarire painted a picture of Ndingani as an irresponsible and lazy individual. “I have been to courts with this man several times because of his bad character and irresponsibility,” she said. “He is one of the laziest men under the sun who always wants to be helped by his wife.”
She further alleged that Ndingani’s behaviour was the reason for their separation and that he had been a threat to her domestic workers. “We have since separated because of that and he has been a threat to my house maids,” Mawarire stated. “Three different house maids left unceremoniously because of him.”
Mawarire also claimed to have made a significant financial contribution to the family home. “I am the one who bought 80 percent of the building material for our house,” she declared.
Despite Mawarire’s arguments, the court ruled in favour of Ndingani, ordering her to pay US$60 in monthly maintenance and share the children’s school fees. The ruling has sparked debate and raised questions about gender roles and financial responsibilities in divorce cases in Zimbabwe.
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