News / Local
Man claims $200 monthly maintenance from ex-wife
21 Nov 2013 at 00:39hrs | Views
A BULAWAYO man yesterday dragged his estranged wife to the Maintenance Court claiming $200 for the upkeep of their three children in his custody.
The man, Mr Calisto Mapfumo of House Number19 Kinmont Avenue, Barham Green chased away his wife, Ms Charity Chitsa in February who went to her rural home and stayed there for eight months.
However, Ms Chitsa moved back to the city a month ago and on hearing that she was back from the rural areas and now employed, Mr Mapfumo then sought her forgiveness and after failing to win her love back, he dragged her to court.
He told Bulawayo magistrate Mr Victor Mpofu that his wife deserted him and the three children as she refused to stay with them.
"Your Honour, this woman is irresponsible as she left me with three children eight months ago. I need $200 maintenance from her as she is gainfully employed," he said.
Added Mr Mapfumo: "Our children need their mother but she only sees them thrice a week and I am having trouble explaining to the children why their mother is no longer staying with us."
He appealed to the magistrate to grant him the order and not to tolerate explanations from his wife.
"This woman is employed and I know she is earning a lot. I just want her to be responsible for the children she dumped," said Mr Mapfumo.
In her response, Ms Chitsa told Mr Mpofu that her husband had dragged her to court as a way of fixing her.
"This man chucked me out of his parents' house in February and took away all my clothes. I went back to my parents and he never bothered to check on me and he always verbally abused me.
"I decided to come back to the city and look for employment and when he got wind that I was back in town he tried to convince me to move in with him and I refused. He is abusive and the 10 years I lived with him are enough for me. I cannot afford the $200 he is claiming and when I get the money for maintenance, I would rather take it to his mother because I know he will buy beer and starve my children to death," said Ms Chitsa.
Mr Mpofu, however, ruled in Mr Mapfumo's favour and ordered Ms Chitsa to pay him $60 per month.
"By order of the court, the respondent will pay $60 monthly from November 2013 for the welfare of the three children till each child turns 18 or until the complainant applies for variation," said Mr Mpofu.
The man, Mr Calisto Mapfumo of House Number19 Kinmont Avenue, Barham Green chased away his wife, Ms Charity Chitsa in February who went to her rural home and stayed there for eight months.
However, Ms Chitsa moved back to the city a month ago and on hearing that she was back from the rural areas and now employed, Mr Mapfumo then sought her forgiveness and after failing to win her love back, he dragged her to court.
He told Bulawayo magistrate Mr Victor Mpofu that his wife deserted him and the three children as she refused to stay with them.
"Your Honour, this woman is irresponsible as she left me with three children eight months ago. I need $200 maintenance from her as she is gainfully employed," he said.
Added Mr Mapfumo: "Our children need their mother but she only sees them thrice a week and I am having trouble explaining to the children why their mother is no longer staying with us."
"This woman is employed and I know she is earning a lot. I just want her to be responsible for the children she dumped," said Mr Mapfumo.
In her response, Ms Chitsa told Mr Mpofu that her husband had dragged her to court as a way of fixing her.
"This man chucked me out of his parents' house in February and took away all my clothes. I went back to my parents and he never bothered to check on me and he always verbally abused me.
"I decided to come back to the city and look for employment and when he got wind that I was back in town he tried to convince me to move in with him and I refused. He is abusive and the 10 years I lived with him are enough for me. I cannot afford the $200 he is claiming and when I get the money for maintenance, I would rather take it to his mother because I know he will buy beer and starve my children to death," said Ms Chitsa.
Mr Mpofu, however, ruled in Mr Mapfumo's favour and ordered Ms Chitsa to pay him $60 per month.
"By order of the court, the respondent will pay $60 monthly from November 2013 for the welfare of the three children till each child turns 18 or until the complainant applies for variation," said Mr Mpofu.
Source - chronicle
