Man granted protection, offers to pay US$40 maintenance

A HARARE man has offered to pay US$40 maintenance for his two kids after being granted a protection order against his ex-girlfriend.

Simbarashe James' former girlfriend, Kathrine Mubayiwa, was demanding US$100 or $147 000.

James pleaded with the court saying what his ex-girlfriend was demanding was 90 percent of his salary.

He said he was also taking care of his mentally-challenged brother and his other biological children.

‘‘Your Worship, the amount is too much. l have other kids to take care of and my mentally-ill brother. My parents passed away and everything was left to me to handle and she is requesting to take my entire salary.

‘‘I was also granted a protection order against her for her abusive behaviour,'' he said.

In response, Mubayiwa said it was not enough as they had been together for four years and she had never heard of any of his other kids.

‘‘He works as a general hand, and I'm sure he earns enough to cater for all of us.

‘‘I was with him for four years and he never said anything about other children.

‘‘If possible, l would like to see the birth certificates,'' she said

Magistrate Judith Taruvinga requested James to bring the birth certificates and postponed the matter to Friday.