Boy (17) rejects maintenance from estranged dad

A SEVENTEEN year old boy yesterday declined maintenance after his mother dragged his father to court demanding R10,000 per month for herself, the teenager and his two siblings.

The boy's mother, Gracious Moyo, was claiming R2,500 for herself and R7,500 for her three children including her 17-year-old son. She said the injiva Josphat Moyo earns R5,000 per week.

The boy swore before Bulawayo Magistrate Sheunesu Matova that even though his mother had included him in the maintenance application, he does not want any payment from his father.

"Your worship, I just don't want to be included in this whole maintenance issue," the boy said.

He was not asked anything else after his statement.

Magistrate Matova ordered Moyo to pay R1,000 to his wife and R600 each to his two children and the teenager was left out.

Gracious told the court that she was claiming the money because Moyo was no longer providing for them. She added that when he came from South Africa for the maintenance hearing, he did not sleep at their house.

Moyo said he earns R2,630 a week and offered to give his wife R1,000 and R600 each to his children.