By Melisa Munzvandi
A woman who said she has been solely maintained by her mother since falling pregnant has been granted a US$50 monthly maintenance order against the absentee father of her child.
The matter was heard before Provincial Magistrate Mbonisi Kaweni. The applicant is Filda Dzimati and the respondent is Israel Sibanda.
Dzimati told the court that Sibanda should take responsibility for his child, arguing that he had not contributed anything since she fell pregnant.
She said she had been living with her mother who has been taking care of her and the child. She said she could no longer burden her mother who recently retired due to arthritis.
She said the child is now starting ECD A and needs support.
Sibanda told the court he earns a living transporting Japanese cars from Beitbridge to Harare, but argued he could not afford the US$140 being claimed because he is not formally employed. He said his last formal job was in June 2026.
He further told the court that he is finalising a divorce with his first wife in the High Court and that she took their children. He said he is now taking care of three children and his 72-year-old mother.
The matter was resolved by consent.
“By consent, the respondent is ordered to pay US$50 per month with effect from the end of November until the child attains the age of 18 or becomes self-supporting,” ruled the court.