Macheso demands Tafadzwa's maintenance breakdown

Popular musician, Alick Macheso, has demanded that his estranged second wife, Fortunate "Tafadzwa" Mapako give him a complete breakdown of her demands, before the sungura icon responds to her demand for $7  130 maintenance claim filed at the High Court last week.

Last week, Mapako filed an appeal at the High Court in Harare, making fresh demands that she be granted $7 130 as maintenance for her and two minor children, Alick and Maneesha, a week after the civil court ruled that Macheso pay her $1 030 monthly with effect from May 31 2014.

"The court erred both at law and fact in making a finding that the appellant (Mapako) failed to justify her claim of $7 130 per month as maintenance for herself and the two minor children despite the fact that appellant attached supporting evidence to the answering affidavit like supporting affidavits, utility bill statements and medical opinions which were not challenged or rebutted by respondent (Macheso)," read the High Court appeal filed by Mapako's lawyers, Hamunakwadi, Nyandoro and Nyambuya Legal Practitioners.

The appeal further argued that the civil court could have granted Mapako costs for hiring a driver, motor vehicle service and insurance allowance for her vehicle.

"The court erred when it made a finding that Mapako does not need a driver, motor vehicle service and insurance allowances, yet the same court correctly made a finding that she does not possess a driver's licence and that she owns a motor vehicle for which the same court awarded the appellant fuel allowance of 20 litres per month with the equivalence of $30,"argued Mapako's lawyers.

Mapako's lawyers also queried the lower court's decision to order that Mapako and Macheso equally contribute accommodation and utility bills costs, while at the same time acknowledging that the appellant was unemployed.

Last the appeal affirmed that the civil court was wrong in its decision to 'employ basic necessities as opposed to the lifestyle and social status in determining the appropriate monetary maintenance for Mapako and the two minor children'.

Macheso through his lawyer, Norman Mugiya, yesterday said he will not respond to Mapako's demands unless he is furnished with a complete breakdown of the fresh maintenance claims.

"We have decided that we will not respond to Mapako's demands unless we get a complete breakdown of what exactly she wants. We have furthermore requested that Mapako furnish us with transcribed records of proceedings from the magistrate courts before we can respond to her claims," said Mugiya.

It is alleged that problems that led the two to divorce, according to Mapako began late last year when Macheso allegedly inserted his manhood into his sick child, saying that would heal fontanelle  (nhova/ inkanda) problem.

Macheso is alleged to have claimed it was a traditional rite.

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

Mapako also alleged that since December 2013, Macheso had been neglecting her and the two minor children, allegations which have been denied by Macheso. Macheso has since denied neglecting the family.

Mapako and Macheso are  currently embroiled in a DNA saga meant to determine the paternity of the two minor children.