News / National
Army doctor to pay $1 000 maintenance instead of $15 000
23 Jan 2013 at 05:11hrs | Views
Zimbabwe National Army Brigadier-General and medical doctor Celestino Bhasera was yesterday ordered to contribute US$1 000 towards the upkeep of his two minor children.
His Congolese estranged wife, Yvonne Bhasera, was seeking $15 000 as maintenance for herself and two children.
She wanted the civil court to grant her US$2 000 as her maintenance fee and US$6 500 per each child.
The presiding magistrate, Ms Tendai Rusinahama, reduced the figure to US$1 000.
In her ruling Ms Rusinahama told Yvonne that being married was not a bread ticket to life. She said Yvonne also had the obligation to look after herself and the children.
Ms Rusinahama said the court found no proof about Brig-Gen Bhasera's income and therefore US$1 000 coupled with school fees of US$2 800 per term was justified.
"Applicant put forward that Brig-Gen (Bhasera) earns above US$20 000 while he disputed this saying his income is slightly above US$2 000," said Ms Rusinahama.
"It is not in dispute that he is a Government employee who practises as a medical doctor on a part-time basis. There is no proof whether surgeries are being rented or not as well as the farm.
"Applicant is also a qualified medical doctor and businesswoman who decided not to work and became a full-time housewife."
Ms Rusinahama added that Yvonne was not able to prove how much Brig-Gen Bhasera earns from his relations with UNDP.
"The door is still open to come for upward variation when you get proof," she said.
Yvonne said she is legally married to Brig-Gen Bhasera under the Democratic Republic of Congo laws equivalent to Zimbabwe's Chapter 5.11.
In her claim, Yvonne argued that Brig-Gen Bhasera earned about US$20 000 per month and was seconded to UNDP. She also said Brig-Gen Bhasera, also a qualified medical doctor, owns 20 surgeries, a farm and a bar to say the least.
In this case, Yvonne argued that her claim was reasonable under the circumstances in view of the lifestyle she and the children are accustomed to. In his counter argument, Brig-Gen Bhasera had offered US$800.
His Congolese estranged wife, Yvonne Bhasera, was seeking $15 000 as maintenance for herself and two children.
She wanted the civil court to grant her US$2 000 as her maintenance fee and US$6 500 per each child.
The presiding magistrate, Ms Tendai Rusinahama, reduced the figure to US$1 000.
In her ruling Ms Rusinahama told Yvonne that being married was not a bread ticket to life. She said Yvonne also had the obligation to look after herself and the children.
Ms Rusinahama said the court found no proof about Brig-Gen Bhasera's income and therefore US$1 000 coupled with school fees of US$2 800 per term was justified.
"Applicant put forward that Brig-Gen (Bhasera) earns above US$20 000 while he disputed this saying his income is slightly above US$2 000," said Ms Rusinahama.
"Applicant is also a qualified medical doctor and businesswoman who decided not to work and became a full-time housewife."
Ms Rusinahama added that Yvonne was not able to prove how much Brig-Gen Bhasera earns from his relations with UNDP.
"The door is still open to come for upward variation when you get proof," she said.
Yvonne said she is legally married to Brig-Gen Bhasera under the Democratic Republic of Congo laws equivalent to Zimbabwe's Chapter 5.11.
In her claim, Yvonne argued that Brig-Gen Bhasera earned about US$20 000 per month and was seconded to UNDP. She also said Brig-Gen Bhasera, also a qualified medical doctor, owns 20 surgeries, a farm and a bar to say the least.
In this case, Yvonne argued that her claim was reasonable under the circumstances in view of the lifestyle she and the children are accustomed to. In his counter argument, Brig-Gen Bhasera had offered US$800.
Source - TH
