Washington Arubi neglects his children, up for maintenance

WHILE national team and South African Premiership side University of Pretoria goalkeeper Washington Arubi is aggressive in protecting his goal area, he has been found wanting in "protecting" his family.

The agile goalkeeper has completely turned his back on his two children who are said to be surviving at the mercy of his estranged wife's United Kingdom-based mother.

This was revealed in court papers this newspaper has in possession of (Case Number M1936/14) filed by his former wife, Iris Jesca Tatenda Nyandoro, who approached Mutare Magistrates' Court claiming maintenance for the footballer's two children - Nathan and Washington Jnr.

The matter, in which Nyandoro is demanding US$1 035, appeared before Mutare magistrate Mrs Sharon Chipanga last Thursday and was adjourned to Monday this week.

On Monday, the respondent, through his lawyers, pleaded for more time in order for him to appear in person during the ABSA Premiership off-season in May.

However, the applicant's legal representative, Mr Victor Mazengero of Mugadza, Chinzamba and Partners Legal Practitioners, argued that the two minors' welfare was at stake and the court should treat the matter with the urgency it deserves hence the magistrate's ruling that the case be heard next Friday (January 23).

Arubi is said to have failed to take full care of the two children yet he is earning not less than US$5 000.

"Respondent is employed as a football player by the University of Pretoria in South Africa.  He earns not less than US$5 000 per month.

"In addition to his official source of income, respondent also owns a seven-roomed house in Chikanga (House Number 2342, Chikanga Phase Two, Mutare), which he is leasing to tenants at US$50 per room.

"On the other hand, I am employed as a sales person by Aidrage Chemicals (Pvt) Ltd and I earn a paltry monthly salary of US$150.

"While I appreciate that I have an obligation to take care of the minors, my source of income is inadequate to take care of my needs and those of my children.

"The children survive at the mercy of my biological mother who supplements my income by sending money from the United Kingdom.

"Recently I moved into a two-roomed cottage in Westlea to enable the two male children to sleep in their own separate room.

"I am currently paying rental of US$250.  It is thus clear I cannot continue to burden my parents with the responsibility of taking care of the minor children.

"Respondent should be responsible and sufficiently contribute towards the upkeep of the minor children," reads part of the affidavit filed by Nyandoro.

Arubi, who scooped the player of the year award in his first season with University of Pretoria, is still turning out for the same team.

Washington embarked on his professional career at Lancashire Steel in 2005. In the 2007/08 season he moved to Highlanders FC.

After a short spell at Bantu Rovers in 2009, Arubi joined the Zimbabwean powerhouse Dynamos where he played for two seasons.

Together with the club he got a taste of the 2012/13 CAF Champions League participating in four matches of the tournament.

In the summer 2012, he moved to South Africa and signed for Pretoria University.

In between 1999 and 2005, Washington Arubi played for the Zimbabwe U-20 and U-23 teams and since 2006 he is capped to the senior Zimbabwean side.