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Prosper Dembedza Court Reporter
GOSPEL artiste and keyboard wizard Munyaradzi Munodawafa is being sued by his ex-wife who is claiming $500 in maintenance for their five-year-old child.

Felistas Nomsa Shumba, who is a student nurse at Parerenyatwa Group of Hospitals, is also claiming $100 as her own upkeep.

The matter was supposed to appear yesterday before Harare Civil Court magistrate Ruth Kamangira but was struck off from the roll since both parties were in default.

In her application, Shumba said the visually-impaired musician was failing to provide any support towards the upkeep of their child Akudzweishe Munodawafa.

“He is a musician and also self-employed and realises approximately $6 000 per month,” reads part of Shumba’s founding affidavit.

Shumba said Munodawafa was able to pay the $600 for her and their child considering his monthly earnings.

“He is failing to provide food, fees, clothes, uniforms and medication for his child,” Shumba said.

The musician separated with his wife in 2013 in unclear circumstances.

Shumba accused Munodawafa of infidelity, alleging that she caught him red-handed with a girlfriend in their matrimonial bed in Masvingo.

However, Munodawafa also accused the his ex-wife of being unfaithful, saying she was in love with another man and they had already separated because of the issue at the time the musician was allegedly caught in a compromising position with another woman.

Born in 1988, Munodawafa first hogged the music limelight at a very tender age, after exhibiting tremendous keyboard playing skills.

He was famous for his hit song “Shandisa Chipo Chako”, which was a passionate plea to many physically challenged people to utilise their God-given talents. He went on to release his debut song at the age of 10.

Munodawafa went to the United States in 1999 for studies and returned home in 2005 to pursue a career in music.

However, the musician has not made it in the tightly-contested industry and remains a supporting act at most shows.