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Ivan Zhakata Court Reporter
A Harare man has refused to pay maintenance for the upkeep of his minor child, claiming he is not the biological father. Victor Makoto, a self-employed electrician, alleged that his ex-wife Edna Nyika gave birth eight months after they last had sex, casting doubt on the child’s paternity. He said since the months did not tally, he could not give Nyika money for the upkeep of the child.

Nyika, who was demanding $200 for the upkeep of their one-year-seven-months-old baby, told Harare Civil Court magistrate Ms Gamuchirai Siwardi that Makoto started neglecting her when she fell pregnant.

“I want $200 for our baby who is one year and seven-months-old,” she said. “He is self-employed as an electrician and gets a profit of $800 every month. The money will cater for the baby’s basic needs among them food, clothing and medicals,” added Nyika.

Makoto later offered to pay $20 pending paternity tests. He told the court that if DNA tests proved that he was not the child’s biological father, Nyika would have to refund him his money.

Ms Siwardi postponed the matter to today for ruling.