Boy (19) impregnates maid, dragged to court over $182 maintenance

It is said you must enjoy the days of your youth, but not for a Mutare teenager who is now grappling with the responsibility of fatherhood after being dragged to court to take care of his child.

Fletcher Goneso impregnated a domestic worker, Privilege Phiri two years ago, but is now finding it difficult to meet the fatherhood demands. Phiri approached the Mutare Civil Courts last week demanding US$182 as monthly maintenance of their two-year-old child. Phiri said Fletcher was a director of his own company which deals with chemicals like dish washers, earning about US$300 a month.
 
She said she was a maid and wanted the money for the upkeep of their child as she does not get much from her work. Fletcher looked shocked at Phiri's claims that he owns a company. He told the court that he was only 19 and was being taken care of by his mother. He said he once partnered with two friends to run the chemical company, but he was pushed out of the business just after a short stint.
 
He, however, offered to pay US$15 as maintenance fee as he did not dispute paternity. Phiri was not satisfied with the offer and stood her ground that she wanted US$182 from him. She insisted that Fletcher was a director of a company and was in a position to pay what she had claimed.
 
In her ruling, Mutare senior magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiwundura ordered the young father to pay $25 as maintenance.