News / Local
Nurses exchange harsh words over maintenance
18 Dec 2013 at 02:35hrs | Views
PROCEEDINGS at the Maintenance Court almost came to a standstill yesterday when an estranged couple - both nurses at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) - nearly traded blows after a harsh exchange of words over maintenance.
Amazed by the couple's behaviour, the presiding magistrate Victor Mpofu remarked:
"I can only imagine what your patients go through daily and I think some have died due to your cold heartedness."
Sakhile Dube had dragged her estranged husband Shepherd Mativenga to court claiming $160 for the upkeep of their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
"Your honour, I cannot afford that amount and this woman is immoral as I once caught her in bed with a man in front of our daughter," Mativenga charged.
"She told me more than three times that I might be taking care of a child that is not mine and I am starting to doubt if I am the father to the baby."
Mativenga said at one time Dube came home at around 11pm and could not explain where she was coming from.
"Her behaviour forced me into drinking beer and smoking as a way of dealing with her mischief. I can only pay $50," he said.
Before he could finish his explanation, Dube interjected and said that he was abusive and that he had chucked her out of their home in Paddonhurst.
"Shepherd, you are abusive and there is no way you could have expected me to live with you. You chucked me from your house. You should start contributing towards the upkeep of your child," she said.
At that time Mativenga turned and poked her saying she was to blame for the money he owed financial institutions in loans. He claimed she used the loan money to perform traditional rites.
"You provoked me to be jealous Sakhile and from nowhere you denied me access to your mobile phone and you put a security code on it. You left with some of my property and I am still failing to clear the debt I have as I used the money during our visit to your rural home," shouted Mativenga.
Magistrate Mpofu folded his arms and let the couple's altercation go on for some minutes before he made his ruling. When he asked the pair to map a way forward Mativenga interrupted him and accused Dube of sending wrong messages to their child.
"You are a bad woman and I do not like the way you expose my child to your behaviour. What will she learn from you if you have guts to bring your boyfriends into your bedroom in her presence?" he said.
Dube was quick to interject and told Mativenga that she had a right to have a boyfriend.
"I am an adult and I doubt if it is sinful to have a boyfriend. You are not even paying for my rent thus you cannot dictate what happens in that house," she said.
Dube added: "There is no need for you to falsely accuse me of wrong doing. Just pay for your child welfare."
After a series of arguments Mpofu ordered the two to stop shouting and listen to him.
"I doubt if you two treat patients gently since you have the audacity to display such immaturity in this court of law. Since both of you are employed, Mativenga will pay $80 monthly for the upkeep of the child," Mpofu ruled.
Amazed by the couple's behaviour, the presiding magistrate Victor Mpofu remarked:
"I can only imagine what your patients go through daily and I think some have died due to your cold heartedness."
Sakhile Dube had dragged her estranged husband Shepherd Mativenga to court claiming $160 for the upkeep of their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
"Your honour, I cannot afford that amount and this woman is immoral as I once caught her in bed with a man in front of our daughter," Mativenga charged.
"She told me more than three times that I might be taking care of a child that is not mine and I am starting to doubt if I am the father to the baby."
Mativenga said at one time Dube came home at around 11pm and could not explain where she was coming from.
"Her behaviour forced me into drinking beer and smoking as a way of dealing with her mischief. I can only pay $50," he said.
Before he could finish his explanation, Dube interjected and said that he was abusive and that he had chucked her out of their home in Paddonhurst.
At that time Mativenga turned and poked her saying she was to blame for the money he owed financial institutions in loans. He claimed she used the loan money to perform traditional rites.
"You provoked me to be jealous Sakhile and from nowhere you denied me access to your mobile phone and you put a security code on it. You left with some of my property and I am still failing to clear the debt I have as I used the money during our visit to your rural home," shouted Mativenga.
Magistrate Mpofu folded his arms and let the couple's altercation go on for some minutes before he made his ruling. When he asked the pair to map a way forward Mativenga interrupted him and accused Dube of sending wrong messages to their child.
"You are a bad woman and I do not like the way you expose my child to your behaviour. What will she learn from you if you have guts to bring your boyfriends into your bedroom in her presence?" he said.
Dube was quick to interject and told Mativenga that she had a right to have a boyfriend.
"I am an adult and I doubt if it is sinful to have a boyfriend. You are not even paying for my rent thus you cannot dictate what happens in that house," she said.
Dube added: "There is no need for you to falsely accuse me of wrong doing. Just pay for your child welfare."
After a series of arguments Mpofu ordered the two to stop shouting and listen to him.
"I doubt if you two treat patients gently since you have the audacity to display such immaturity in this court of law. Since both of you are employed, Mativenga will pay $80 monthly for the upkeep of the child," Mpofu ruled.
Source - chronicle
