Woman drags stranger to court over child maintenance

A MZILIKAZI woman yesterday dragged to court a man she had never met claiming he is the father of her grandchild demanding $170 for maintenance.

Her daughter apparently got impregnated by Benjamin Chagwiza.

Dambudzo Dema brought Chagwiza, a process artisan at a local beverages manufacturer, to court to maintain her granddaughter.

The case was heard by magistrate Tinashe Tashaya.

Dema told the court that her daughter who is the mother of the child was out of the country.

She said she was representing her in court, where she sought an order to compel Chagwiza to buy food, clothes, medication and pay fees for the child who is about to attend school.

She said yesterday was the first time she set eyes on Chagwiza whom she claims is the father of her three-year-old grandchild, adding that she did not know the exact date of birth of the child.

"Your Worship, I am not the legal guardian of the child but I am the one who is living with her," Dema said.

"This is my first time to meet Chagwiza. My daughter only told me she met him twice at my home in 2011."

Chagwiza denied he was the father of the child saying that the mother of the child did not tell her that she was pregnant or that she had given birth.

"Your Worship, the mother of the child told me a false name that is why I initially said I did not know her. From the description I think I now recall her," he said.

"The last time I saw her she was not pregnant. I slept with her in December 2010 and January 2011 but we used protection."

"I have five other children but I do not know about this one, I do not even know when the child was born."

Magistrate Tashaya asked Dema how she is going to ascertain the presumption that Chagwiza is the father of the child.

He deferred judgement on the case.