News / National
4,000 men apply for downward variation of maintenance
14 May 2014 at 08:32hrs | Views
Nearly 4 000 men successfully applied for downward variation of maintenance they were paying last year, citing economic problems and pressure from existing relationships.
Of the around 6 000 men who applied for a downward review, 3 392 got the reprieve they sought.
Some of the applicants wanted a downward variation while awaiting paternity tests.
Chief Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe said applications for downward variations had increased in recent years.
Harare Metropolitan province accounted for more than 70 percent of the successful applications, while Matebeleland South had the least (1 percent).
Of the 4 228 men who applied in Harare, 2 511 were successful, while 41 of 66 applications in Matabeleland South were fruitful.
At least 50 men appear at the Harare Magistrates' Civil Courts for maintenance hearings daily, according to court records.
An estimated 14 000 maintenance files were opened in 2012 up from 3 040 in 2011, 2 174 in 2010 and just 427 in 2008.
Of the around 6 000 men who applied for a downward review, 3 392 got the reprieve they sought.
Some of the applicants wanted a downward variation while awaiting paternity tests.
Chief Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe said applications for downward variations had increased in recent years.
Harare Metropolitan province accounted for more than 70 percent of the successful applications, while Matebeleland South had the least (1 percent).
Of the 4 228 men who applied in Harare, 2 511 were successful, while 41 of 66 applications in Matabeleland South were fruitful.
At least 50 men appear at the Harare Magistrates' Civil Courts for maintenance hearings daily, according to court records.
An estimated 14 000 maintenance files were opened in 2012 up from 3 040 in 2011, 2 174 in 2010 and just 427 in 2008.
Source - The Herald
