Court Reporter
A TEACHER yesterday refused to increase maintenance payments for his child, saying his ex-wife wanted to use the money to take care of her new husband. Anywhere Matope made the accusations after Ndaizivei Zimande brought him to the Civil Court claiming an increase of the monthly payments from US$50 to US$240.
“I have been paying maintenance fees towards our child’s upkeep since 2010 and she wants me to pay extra money she will spend with her new husband,” said Matope.
“Your Worship, I cannot take care of other people’s husbands.
“Another husband cannot abuse my money. I work as a teacher in the rural areas and I even expect higher educational standards for my child.
“I think she is trying to fix me when she is the one who left our matrimonial home. Afterwards, she sent her father with US$5 as a token of divorce.”
Matope said it was surprising that Zimande was claiming money for extra lessons when he bought textbooks so that he could teach his child.
But Zimande maintained that Matope had to pay up because of the escalating cost of living.
“Since 2010, prices of commodities have increased and the money I earn pays for my rent and school fees. He can afford what I am asking for,” she said.
“His salary was also increased and he earns an additional US$100 from incentives every month.
“At the moment he has one child with another woman.”
Magistrate Ms Vongai Muchuchuti ordered Matope to increase the monthly maintenance to US$70 and to continue paying school fees for his child.