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Lethokuhle Moyo Court Reporter
A WOMAN from Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb who failed to pitch up for a DNA test to establish paternity in a maintenance case, was yesterday denied a garnishee order after a default judgment was made. Sarah Sibanda arrived late for the court case yesterday and found Bulawayo Magistrate Sheunesu Matova, having cancelled the $80 garnishee order against Wellington Tshuma, who is a Zesa employee.

Sibanda told the magistrate that Tshuma refused to pay for their daughter who is at school saying he had already hired lawyers for the case.
Sibanda and Tshuma were ordered to undergo a paternity test before the final judgment could be passed but Sibanda allegedly failed to pitch up for the DNA examination.

The couple had booked August 26th at 11 am for the test and Tshuma was ordered to pay $80 maintenance until they undergo the tests.
Sibanda claims that she went to Harare for the DNA test and asked Tshuma to wait for her but he travelled alone.

“My bag was stolen and I was assisted by the police to come back because I had no money to travel back home,” she said.
Tshuma said $80 was unjustifiable as the court had ordered him to pay maintenance on the presumption that the minor child was his.

“I waited for Sibanda until 1 pm on the day of the test but she did not pitch up,” he said.
“I had paid for her transport and accommodation. I gave her $120 to come to Harare. I used about $500-$700 for the DNA test to be done but she did not show up.”
Matova postponed the matter to the 29th of September and ordered both parties to be present.

He advised Sibanda to go and read the opposing papers that she will be served with.