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Noleen Makhurane Court reporter
A BULAWAYO “super dad” of eight, who is paying maintenance for seven of his children that he sired with three different women including his ex-wife, was yesterday dragged to court by his ex-wife who wants him garnished for defaulting in paying maintenance for her four children.

Richard Mupamhadzi is now a familiar face at the maintenance court after he was taken there recently by two other women seeking upward variation of their children’s maintenance.

Mupamhadzi’s ex-wife Cresencia Mubayiwa wants him garnished for defaulting in paying maintenance.

According to court records, in April 2013, Mubayiwa claimed $150 for child support from Mupamhadzi. The money was later increased to $240 in March last year after Mubayiwa had successfully applied for upward variation.

Yesterday, Mubayiwa applied for a garnish order after Mupamhadzi had accrued $90 arrears. She told the court that her-ex-husband’s payments were inconsistent, hence her garnish order application.

“I’m applying for a garnish order because he’s in arrears and sometimes he deposits the money late in the month. I want to receive maintenance money just after he is paid,” she said.

Mupamhadzi pleaded with Magistrate Batania Tuwe not to grant the garnish order saying he had a lot of commitments.

“I’ve four children with Mubayiwa, one child with my wife and three children with two other women. I earn $425 per month and have to pay maintenance to two different women of $40 and $50 respectively. I also pay Mubayiwa $240 for the upkeep of our children. I’ve a wife at home and in total, I’ve eight children.

“I can barely survive with my salary as it is and would like the court to reduce the maintenance as it is difficult for me to make ends meet. This is why I’m in arrears,” he said.

Mubayiwa told the court that she only knows of five of Mupamhadzi’s children that were below the age of 18.

According to court records, all Mubayiwa’s children are minors and are attending primary school.

The magistrate granted the garnish order of $255 a month. Magistrate Tuwe added $15 more to allow Mupamhadzi to clear his $90 arrears.