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Cynthia Dube, Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO vendor has been ordered to pay $80 maintenance per month for the upkeep of his two minor children.

Ian Tsirare of Njube suburb appeared before Maintenance Court Magistrate Mr Manasa Musiiwa yesterday after his ex-wife Nothando Moyo reported that he was neglecting his two children aged 14 and 12 years.

Ms Moyo demanded $200 from the vendor saying the money would cater for school fees, clothes and food for the children. “I’m unemployed and I am struggling to take care of our children. The first born is doing Form Two and the other one is at primary school.

“I failed to pay school fees for last term and both of them are in arrears of more than $100,” she said.

Tsirare told the court that he cannot afford to pay the money that was being claimed by his ex-wife.

“Your worship I sell vegetables and cigarettes at TM Pick and Pay supermarket and I make less than $60 per month. I have a lot of responsibilities including taking care of my other two children and my wife who is also unemployed,” he said.

Mr Musiiwa ordered Tsirare to pay $80 per month for the upkeep of his two children until they reach the age of 18 or become self-supportive.  Tsirare told the court that he cannot afford to pay $80 as he was also paying $55 per month for rent.

He said he was also supposed to buy food and clothes for his other children.The magistrate advised him to appeal against the order if he had any issues with it. — @cynthiamthembo1