Man offers $5 maintenance for two children

A Mutare man stunned the court when he said he can only manage to pay $5 towards the up keep of his two children who are going to school.

James Manhanga who had been ordered by the court to pay $250 monthly as maintenance for his children dragged his ex wife Tarisai Manhanga to court seeking a downward review of the amount to $5 monthly.

Magistrate Yeukai Chigodora presided over the case. James told the court that when the initial order was made he was working a the diamonds mine and could afford it. He said he no longer have a stable source of income but survive through firewood selling which he said earns him $5 a month.

But his ex wife had none of it saying he was already in arrears amounting to $1750 and must pay all of it. She said he was rewarded with a lump sum of $10 000 from a diamond mine.

She also asked the court to order James to sell some of his beasts to support his children.

The magistrate varied the maintenance to $50 a month.

She said $5 was an insult to James family and ordered him to start paying $50 end of April.