News / National
Magistrate dresses down honourable member of Parliament
20 Apr 2016 at 06:48hrs | Views
A BULAWAYO magistrate yesterday dressed down the Member of Parliament for Nkulumane constituency, Killian Sibanda, for offering a paltry $40 as maintenance for the upkeep of his two-year-old daughter.
The Zanu-PF MP was dragged to court by his ex-girlfriend, Achiwangani Maseko, who is seeking an upward review of the maintenance fee from $40 to $337 per month.
"Your Worship, Sibanda is paying $40 per month which isn't enough. My daughter's legs are deformed. She can't walk properly and needs to go for routine physiotherapy. She was born prematurely and the doctor has prescribed a special diet for her but unfortunately I can't afford to buy it, which is why I need at least $337," said Maseko.
Sibanda, who claimed that he earned $239 per month after deductions, challenged his ex-girlfriend's demands, arguing that taking their daughter to pre-school was a luxury.
"Considering my financial constraints, sending my daughter to crèche is a luxury. I can only pay for her at ECD (Early Childhood Development) level," said Sibanda.
Magistrate Manasa Musiiwa, who presided over the matter, dressed down Sibanda for offering his child a pittance.
"You're a man of great honour and integrity and I'm disappointed," said Musiiwa.
Sibanda, who is employed as a management accountant at a city college, argued that his earnings were being channelled towards the repayment of a loan for his parliamentary vehicle.
He also said $300 was being deducted to cover a loan that he took to foot his wife's medical bills.
The MP asked for time to bring to court evidence on his earnings for the court to make an informed decision.
The magistrate then postponed the matter to April 28.
The Zanu-PF MP was dragged to court by his ex-girlfriend, Achiwangani Maseko, who is seeking an upward review of the maintenance fee from $40 to $337 per month.
"Your Worship, Sibanda is paying $40 per month which isn't enough. My daughter's legs are deformed. She can't walk properly and needs to go for routine physiotherapy. She was born prematurely and the doctor has prescribed a special diet for her but unfortunately I can't afford to buy it, which is why I need at least $337," said Maseko.
Sibanda, who claimed that he earned $239 per month after deductions, challenged his ex-girlfriend's demands, arguing that taking their daughter to pre-school was a luxury.
"Considering my financial constraints, sending my daughter to crèche is a luxury. I can only pay for her at ECD (Early Childhood Development) level," said Sibanda.
"You're a man of great honour and integrity and I'm disappointed," said Musiiwa.
Sibanda, who is employed as a management accountant at a city college, argued that his earnings were being channelled towards the repayment of a loan for his parliamentary vehicle.
He also said $300 was being deducted to cover a loan that he took to foot his wife's medical bills.
The MP asked for time to bring to court evidence on his earnings for the court to make an informed decision.
The magistrate then postponed the matter to April 28.
Source - chronicle
