Pupil sues dad for school fees

A FORM Two pupil has dragged her father to the Maintenance Court demanding $500 per month to cater for her school needs.

Nomatter Chikomba, 18, a pupil at St James High School, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Vivian Ndlovu on Friday, to claim that her father Fidelis Chikomba, a salesman at a city company who earns $250 per month, had never paid her school fees since her mother died.

She did not state the year that her mother passed away, but she lives with her aunt.

"I live with my aunt in Cowdray Park and she has been paying school fees for me ever since my mother died. I came here because my aunt wants my father to meet her half way for my fees.

"I chose boarding school because I am able to concentrate on my school work and I do not have to face home duties especially when I want to read," she said.

In response, Chikomba told the magistrate that he has never been on good terms with Nomatter's aunt and they never spoke about her daughter's school fees.

He said his daughter learns at an expensive school and he could not afford the $500 that was being demanded per month.

Chikomba said at one time he had asked his daughter to transfer from the school to a cheaper one, but she declined.

"Your worship I am willing to give her $50 per month. I earn $250 and pay rent for $150. I live with her sister and she is a Form one student at Sikhulile High School in Magwegwe. She is paying $90 per term."

"I asked her to transfer to a day school but she refused. She said she wants to learn at St James but I can't afford it, it is too expensive," he said.

However, Nomatter said she used to learn at a day school in Form One and Two, but her aunt decided to take her back to Grade 7 as she was performing dismally.

Magistrate Ndlovu ordered Chikomba to pay his daughter $50 maintenance per month and advised Nomatter to look for a job and go for night school if the money is not enough.