Chronicle (Zimbabwe)

Cops fight in maintenanc­e court

- Lisa Mangena Court Reporter

A BULAWAYO police officer and his ex-girlfriend, who is also a cop, almost came to blows at the maintenanc­e court following a heated exchange over the upkeep of their three-year old child.

Ms Nokuthula Madamba was demanding $239 from her ex-boyfriend Mr Wellington Masuna.

Ms Madamba told the court that Mr Masuna has never contribute­d anything towards the upkeep of their child since he was born.

“I have been struggling to fend for the child, pay the maid, buy clothes and pay his medical bills while his father is out there gallivanti­ng,” she said.

The court heard that Mr Masuna is hardly available and turns violent when Ms Madamba asks him to take care of the child.

“I opened a docket of physical abuse at the Western Commonage Police Station when he assaulted me for asking him to take care of his child,” said Ms Madamba.

Mr Masuna offered to pay $40 which Ms Madamba said was not enough. “The money he is offering is insufficie­nt,” said Ms Madamba.

The two started exchanging harsh words and almost came to blows prompting the court orderly to intervene.

The magistrate Ms Ulukile Mlea ordered Masuna to pay $75 for the minor child with effect from October 31. — @LissahMang­ena A BULAWAYO man dragged his wife to court demanding maintenanc­e for their three children.

Mr Marlon Chipudla is claiming $75 for the upkeep of their three children whom Elodia Chipudla allegedly dumped after she found a temporary job at a local bar.

“My wife left me and I am taking care of the children. She is always at work but contribute­s nothing towards the upkeep of our children.

“I’m a security guard at Nokel security, my salary is not sufficient to cater for all the bills and also pay school fees for the kids,” said Mr Chipudla. Mr Chipudla said his wife earns about $150. “With all the money she earns, I wonder why she is finding it difficult to help me take care of the children,” he said.

Mrs Chipudla told the court that she earns $80 and can therefore not afford what her husband is demanding. “I cannot offer anything because the money Iam earning is little and again I am not permanentl­y employed,” she said

The magistrate Ms Ulukile Mlea asked Mr Chipudla to bring his wife’s payslip to court.

The matter was postponed to today. — @ LissahMang­ena

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