Macheso declares estranged wife a 'fortune seeker'

Sungura icon Alick Macheso has declared his estranged wife, Tafadzwa Mapako, a fortune seeker who is demanding money which 'even Bill Gates would scratch his head if ordered to pay', court documents in possession of The Zimbabwe Mail reported.

Macheso said he would only pay the $7 000 maintenance demanded by Mapako, if he was convinced that he was the father of Mapako's two minor kids.

In response to civil court papers filed by Mapako, in which she is demanding $7 000 maintenance, Macheso through his lawyer, Norman Mugiya of Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers, said he doubted the paternity of the two children in question as he, on several occasions, tried to approach Mapako to have DNA tests undertaken, but she has been evasive.

"I am not convinced the said children are mine. I have, on several occasions approached the applicant (Mapako) so that we could do paternity tests but she has been dodging the said tests and making flimsy excuses in order to avoid the tests," said Macheso.

"I am not denying to pay the maintenance, I simply want to know that l am paying maintenance for my children. I seriously doubt if the children are mine, hence the desire to know the truth. I will move that the court orders parties to facilitate that the paternity tests be done and grant an interim order of maintenance, pending paternity tests. I will definitely claim back the money I would have paid should it turn out  the children are not mine," said Macheso.

Macheso disputed Mapako's claim  he had been neglecting her and the two minor children despite the applicant's ‘barbaric manner' towards him.

Macheso argued  Mapako viewed him as an ‘income generating project' and not as a husband.

"Contrary to what the applicant is saying, I have been taking care of her in the same manner as I used to do before,  regardless of the fact she has been behaving in barbaric manner to me and my family. I challenge the applicant to prove her frivolous allegation that I have neglected her since December 2013 to date.

The problem with the applicant is that she wants to live a fictitious life and a life dictated by public perception and demand. I have told her countless times that as a musician we do not earn much from the trade. The economy is negatively impacting on us such that I am struggling to make ends meet. However, it turns out the applicant has always wanted to take me as an income generating project and not as a husband," said Macheso.

Macheso denied he and Mapako, used to live a high standard of living, declaring that he was a person of limited financial means.

"I don't know which high standard of living the applicant is referring to. For the duration of the union, the two children used about $100 worth of food per month because they are all minors who are not yet going to school. The children were not on a feeding scheme as the applicant wants the court to believe now.

"I am a person of limited financial means. I realise a profit of about or between $800 to $1000 depending on the activities of the month. I am happily married to my wife, Nyadzisai Macheso, and have three children whom I take care of other than the extended family who treat me as the father and sole breadwinner," said Macheso.

According to Mapako, her problems with Macheso started when she objected to the musicians way of treating their child's fontanelle (nhova/inkanda).

The treatment meant that Macheso had to insert his manhood into the sick child's mouth until he ejaculated.

However, Macheso is denying these claims saying they  were mere fabrications meant to tarnish and destroy his musical career.