By Melisa Munzvandi
A 28 year old Beitbridge man who claimed he survives on selling airtime and eats once a day with his wife has been ordered to pay $55 maintenance for his two minor children.
Tinashe Jubwani told Provincial Magistrate Mbonisi Kaweni that he has no fixed salary and only makes about R60 from selling airtime which he gets on zero deposit as assistance.
“I am suffering. With my current wife we eat once a day. Rentals are difficult,” Jubwani told the court. He offered to pay R700 for both children.
His ex partner, Liyandra Douglas Nkomo, who is a cross border porter (Zalawi) earning R1000 per month, had approached the Maintenance Court demanding $80 per child.
“He should meet me halfway and not dump everything on me,” she said.
The court heard that Jubwani is now married to another woman and has two other children, bringing the total number of children under his care to four.
In his ruling, Provincial Magistrate Mbonisi Kaweni said an able bodied father cannot let his children suffer.
“You should not let your children suffer whilst you are able bodied. If what you are doing is not lucrative, change your line of work because you have four kids to take care of,” said Magistrate Kaweni.
He said the court must balance income and survival of the children.
Jubwani was ordered to pay $55 every month effective 31 October 2025 until the children turn 18 or become self-sustaining. The court said the amount will be increased when the children start going to school.