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Cynthia Dube, Court Reporter
A KOMBI driver walked free out of court as his ex-wife refused to take $30 for maintenance saying she would look after her child alone as the money that was being offered was too little.

Mr Admire Nxumalo of Nkulumane suburb had offered $30 instead of $70 which had been claimed by his ex-wife, Ms Patience Dube.

When the presiding magistrate ordered Mr Nxumalo to pay $30, Ms Dube said she will apply for her ex-husband to be discharged as she would rather take care of her child without any support as $30 did not make any difference.

Mr Nxumalo said he could not afford to pay $70 as he was a kombi driver, earning $80 per month.

“I’m employed as a kombi driver, transporting school kids from Pumula to St Patrick’s school and I am also married with two kids, one is doing Grade One. I’m paying for his school fees. The money that I can afford is $30 because I earn $80,” said Mr Nxumalo.

Bulawayo Maintenance Court magistrate Mrs Sithembiso Ncube agreed that he pays $30 a month.

She then asked Ms Dube if she was comfortable with the proposed amount.

The visibly frustrated Ms Dube refused the offer saying the money was not enough for food, clothes and to pay rent for the child.

“Thirty dollars is nothing! Take the money to a children’s home,” charged Ms Dube in anger.

“I would rather support my child on my own if you don’t want to give me enough money.”

The magistrate intervened and said her job was not to tell Mr Nxumalo to donate money to children’s homes but to make people like him take responsibility for their children. Mrs Ncube then ordered Ms Dube to apply for a discharged maintenance order so that she makes it official that she is no longer interested in Mr Nxumalo’s maintenance fee.

Ms Dube however responded saying she will apply some other time as she had to rush to some of her businesses that give her more money.

@cynthiamthembo1