Baby mama targets ex-MP's wallet

Former Mutare South legislator Jeffrey Ngome has successfully opposed an application by his former partner, Moreen Chitera, to increase his monthly child maintenance contribution from US$150 to US$290.

Chitera approached the civil court seeking an upward variation of the maintenance order for their three-year-old child, arguing that the existing amount was no longer sufficient to meet the youngster's growing needs.

However, Mutare magistrate Sarah Kanyenze dismissed the application, leaving the existing US$150 monthly maintenance order unchanged.

Chitera told the court that the child's expenses had increased significantly as the youngster approached school-going age.

"My concern is that the child needs to enrol at pre-school. The US$150 is not enough for everything that the child needs," she said.

She argued that she was struggling to meet the child's expenses alone and wanted Ngome to assume a greater share of the financial responsibility.

Chitera also raised concerns over the child's lack of a birth certificate, alleging that Ngome had refused to assist in obtaining the document since the child's birth.

"He has refused to get the child's birth certificate," she said.

In support of her application, Chitera claimed that Ngome had the financial means to pay the increased amount, pointing to his business interests, investments and opportunities she alleged he had gained during his time as a Member of Parliament.

"He is a businessman. He makes more than US$1 000 and sometimes US$2 000. He has funds and was exposed to a lot of business opportunities when he was a Member of Parliament. He has investments, so he has money," she said.

Chitera further accused the former legislator of failing to adequately support the child, leaving her to shoulder most of the financial burden.

"He does not take care of the child. I am the one who is struggling with everything. The US$150 is no longer enough for the child's needs," she said.

Ngome rejected the allegations, telling the court that his financial circumstances had changed significantly.

He said he had returned to Zimbabwe from South Africa after being affected by xenophobic attacks and was no longer earning the income Chitera attributed to him.

"I had previously informed her about my financial difficulties, but she continued demanding US$290 and threatening to drag me to court," Ngome said.

He alleged that Chitera frequently threatened legal action whenever disagreements arose over issues involving the child, including school expenses and obtaining a birth certificate.

"I came back from South Africa after being affected by xenophobia. I told her about my situation, but she demanded US$290 and is always threatening me that she will come to court whenever there is an issue involving the child," he said.

Ngome said the repeated threats of litigation had become emotionally distressing.

"It is painful. She is always threatening me," he said.

He also rejected the suggestion that his former position as an MP meant he continued to have substantial financial resources.

"Yes, I am a former MP, but I only served one term," he said.

Regarding a farm that Chitera allegedly cited as part of his assets, Ngome said the property belonged to his family and was not generating any income.

"The farm is a family farm and there is no activity taking place there," he said.

He also denied operating a profitable business that would enable him to meet the proposed US$290 monthly contribution.

"There is no business. I cannot afford what she is demanding," he said.

Despite opposing the increase, Ngome maintained that he remained committed to supporting his child under the existing arrangement.

After considering submissions from both parties, Magistrate Kanyenze dismissed Chitera's application.

Ngome will therefore continue paying US$150 per month in child maintenance under the existing order.