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Tedious Manyepo Herald Reporter
A farm tractor driver has offered to pay nothing towards the upkeep of his one-year-old child, saying he knew nothing about the child’s existence till he was served with court summons.

Raphiel Shopa appeared in a maintenance court in Harare on Thursday where his former girlfriend Hazvinei Muvirimi was seeking $80 for the child’s upkeep.

“I am not prepared to commit anything for the upkeep of the said child. I was never informed of the minor’s existence before, and I am actually surprised that this woman is claiming maintenance from me. I only got to know that there is a child whom I am said to have fathered after seeing court summons. I cannot commit to that,” he said.

Shopa only backed down after magistrate Ms Yeukai Dzuda asked him how much was he prepared to commit since he was now in the know of the child’s existence.

He then offered $15.

“Maybe I can manage $15 because I have another family to look after and I earn just $103 per month your Worship,” he said.

Muvirimi did not accept his offer saying she is struggling to make ends meet, and needed Shopa’s help in taking care of the child.

“I am struggling to take care of this child alone. For the past year, it has been very difficult for me. Now I am saying Shopa should come on board and help me raise the child decently,” she said.

Ms Dzuda ordered Shopa to pay $25 per month for the child’s maintenance starting April 30.