Man taken to court for paying US$5 maintenance

Community News
MUTARE — A 72-year-old man was last week dragged to court by his second wife for paying her a paltry US$5 for her personal upkeep.

MUTARE — A 72-year-old man was last week dragged to court by his second wife for paying her a paltry US$5 for her personal upkeep.

REPORT BY OWN CORRESPONDENT Ziripa Mutumbarika, who was demanding US$200 a month, told magistrate Patience Mutondo that her husband, Lazarus Teedzai was giving her US$5 for her upkeep. She said her husband could afford more as he was a successful businessman.

  Mutumbarika claimed that Teedzai owned a plot near Africa University with 30 tenants each paying US$15 a month, a house in Dangamvura and another in Zimunya suburb. She also claimed that he owned a sawmill that he leased to three people with each paying US$150.

  “Your worship, my husband gives me US$5 for my upkeep which is not enough. He can afford more, I know it,” pleaded Mutumbarika.

  But Teedzai said the US$200 that was demanded by his wife was too much since he had another wife and nine children to take care of.

  “Your worship, I cannot pay US$200 because my wife is lazy. She does not want to farm. I harvested 19 bags of maize for her and I believe US$5 is enough for her upkeep. I have other children to look after,” he said.

  But the magistrate ordered Teedzai to pay US$200 because he was supposed to be responsible for the upkeep of his wife.