One of Harare’s “super dads” with 12 wives and 42 children was last Friday taken to court by one of his wives who is claiming $400 monthly for the upkeep of her four children.
BY NQOBILE NKIWANE
Businessman Francis Mahwite confirmed he was a father of 42, but said he had no capacity to raise $400 per month for Alice Chaendera’s four children. Instead, he offered to pay $200 per month.
He also confirmed he was staying with 10 of his wives at his house.
Harare magistrate Barbra Mateko is on Tuesday expected to give a determination on the matter.
In her submission to the court, Chaendera said Mahwite is a businessman who runs a lucrative jewellery shop and earns close to $4 500 per month, and as such, is capable of paying $100 for each of her four minors per month.
However, in his response Mahwite, through his lawyer, vehemently denied being involved in the jewellery business, saying he was a subsistence farmer based in rural Chivhu.
Mahwite told the court he had since abandoned his jewellery business because of the influx of Chinese products into the country.
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“I am a man of minimal means, with no pension or job but I have a huge responsibility,” Mahwite said.
“I would like to look after my children within my means, considering the penalty of maintenance default.”
Mahwite also confirmed his position by producing birth certificates of all his children as evidence.
