A HARARE woman yesterday claimed US$400 maintenance from her husband, who is a tomato vendor, for the upkeep of their 20-month-old child.
Christina Mukwasu told the court that her husband, Fanwell Masimbidze, was irresponsible and neglected the needs of their minor child.
“I will use the money to buy food, clothes, pay rentals, medical bills and pay the maid who takes care of the child when I go to work.
“I will also use some of the money to take the child to town and buy things like Chicken Slice,” she said.
Magistrate Ayanda Dhlamini was amazed by Mukwasu’s reasoning that she intended using some of the money for the child’s travels to and from town to buy Chicken Slice.
She told Mukwasu not to take advantage of the fact that the father has an obligation to take care of his child to make money.
In response, Masimbidze offered US$10.
“I am self-employed, and sell tomatoes. I realise about US$90 per month.
“We stay together, so I will be providing other things needed such as food,” he said.
However, Mukwasu told the court that her husband was trying to coerce her to withdraw the maintenance claim by taking her back after their separation.
“I am not sure if we will continue staying together because he took me back after we separated with the aim of convincing me to withdraw the maintenance case,” she said.
Magistrate Dhlamini ordered Masimbidze to pay US$30.
— HMetro
