Grandpa yanks son-in-law to court

A DISTRAUGHT grandfather recently dragged his son-in-law to court saying ever since his daughter’s death he has been shouldering the burden of providing for his two grandchildren whose father has turned his back on them.

Lovemore Dehwe described his son-inlaw, Thomas Gwarada, as a negligent father who was defying a court order that requires him to contribute towards the upkeep of his children.

Dehwe wanted the court to review the maintenance that Gwarada was paying for the two children from $2 000 to $8 000.

“My daughter died when these children were very young and I have been looking after them ever since. Gwarada married another wife and is now neglecting his children.

“I am now old and can no longer provide for these children like I used to do. I do not mind staying with them as long as he contributes towards their upkeep. They are my grandchildren and I love them,” said Dehwe.

He said in 2019 the court ordered Gwarada to pay $2 000 monthly maintenance as well as the children’s school fees.

However, Gwarada has not been honouring the order as the children are going to school barefooted and on empty stomachs, alleged Dehwe.

He told the court that Gwarada never visits his children.

In his defence, Gwarada told the court that Dehwe was always complaining whenever they meet, creating bad blood between them.

“Whenever I want to see my children, I visit them at school. I no longer go to their grandfather’s home because this man is always complaining. It is like he wants me to look after his whole family, yet I already have a new family to take care of,” said Gwarada.

He offered to pay $2 500 every month. He told the court that he gets $6 000 every month from vending.

“I am a vendor and these days business is low, so I can only add $500 on the $2 000 that I have been paying. Sometimes I default, but I currently do not have any arrears. As for the school shoes, maybe the children are growing up too fast and can no longer fit in the shoes that I bought for them recently,” he said.

Presiding magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato ruled that Gwarada should pay $4 000 every month for the upkeep of his children.

He advised Gwarada to work hard so that he looks after his children and not overburden their elderly grandfather.