Man sues ex-girlfriend over college fees

A Makoni man who claims he spent thousands of United States dollars supporting his girlfriend through college has taken her to a community court, demanding US$9,206 after she allegedly ended their six-year relationship shortly after securing employment.

Michael Mutero appeared before Chief Makoni's community court seeking repayment from Elizabeth Manando, whom he accused of abandoning him despite what he described as substantial financial and emotional investment during their relationship.

Mutero told the court that he helped Elizabeth secure a place at Belvedere Teachers' College and contributed towards her tuition, accommodation and other living expenses.

He said the situation became strained after Elizabeth secured a teaching job in Hwange in 2024.

"We were in a relationship for more than six years. I paid for her college fees at Belvedere Teachers' College, and also helped her secure a place there," Mutero said.

He claimed that at one point Elizabeth was barred from attending classes for two weeks because of unpaid fees, forcing him to borrow money from loan sharks to settle the outstanding amount.

Mutero alleged that within three weeks of starting her new job in Hwange, Elizabeth began living with School Development Committee chairperson Sosha Mohlaba, with whom she now has a child.

He said he subsequently made several attempts to recover the money he had spent, approaching relatives, church members, friends, workmates and traditional leaders in an effort to resolve the matter amicably.

"I want her to reimburse me for the money I used to fund her education and rentals during her studies. The US$9 000 I am demanding is actually less than what I initially claimed. I could have demanded US$30 000," he said.

Mutero claimed Elizabeth had signed an affidavit acknowledging a US$6,220 debt and said he was prepared to produce evidence of bank transfers made directly to the college.

He further alleged that Mohlaba once answered Elizabeth's phone and dismissed his demands for repayment.

Elizabeth, however, disputed most of Mutero's claims, admitting only that he had contributed towards part of her tuition fees.

She argued that the assistance was voluntarily provided during their relationship and was never presented as a loan.

"I never lived with him and he was never my husband. He was simply my boyfriend, just as Mohlaba is. My family does not officially know him," she said.

Elizabeth told the court that other family members, including her mother, brother and sister, had also contributed towards her education.

She said she initially met Mutero when he was struggling emotionally after a previous relationship ended and claimed that she supported him during that period.

According to Elizabeth, Mutero later asked how he could thank her, and she told him she wanted assistance in finding employment opportunities. She said the financial support he subsequently provided was his way of showing appreciation rather than a loan.

She acknowledged signing a debt acknowledgement for US$500 before a Commissioner of Oaths but denied owing Mutero the thousands of dollars he was claiming.

Elizabeth also described their relationship as unstable, saying Mutero had failed to demonstrate serious intentions of marrying her during their six years together.

"For six years, he was not clear about his intentions. At times I even suspected that he was a married man," she said.

She alleged that after she returned from college to stay with her mother, Mutero began sending insulting messages to both of them.

Elizabeth said she eventually decided to move on after Mutero failed to formalise their relationship despite encouragement from mutual friends.

"I am a mature woman who wants to settle down and have a family. When I got a job in Hwange, he was advised to formalise the relationship. He did not take any action," she said.

She further alleged that Mutero threatened to commit suicide after she moved on and confronted her mother.

In his ruling, Chief Makoni observed that financial assistance and gifts exchanged between lovers are generally acts of affection and do not automatically become recoverable debts when a relationship ends.

"Lovers spoil each other during the course of a relationship. It is an act of love, and one should not expect repayment when the relationship ends," the chief said.

However, he noted that the alleged debt acknowledgement required further examination and ordered Mutero to produce the affidavits and other supporting documents he claimed to have before the matter could proceed.

In an unexpected twist, the former lovers reportedly left the court together after the hearing, walking side-by-side and chatting amicably.

Sources later indicated that Mutero contacted the chief's messenger and expressed an intention to withdraw the case. He was advised to submit his withdrawal in writing.