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Cynthia Dube, Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) accountants clerk’s bid to be awarded $1 300 in maintenance was turned down by a magistrate who reduced the amount to $280.

Ms Blessing Mugari appeared in court seeking maintenance of $1 388 from her workmate, BCC systems analyst Phathisa Tshuma — the father of her six-year-old son.

She said her child was ill and needs financial support from Tshuma.

“I want him to support his child. Our child is ill and he needs a special nurse and maid, special food, and soap that he must use. I also need $200 to service the Toyota Corolla on a monthly basis. I need money to buy clothes and to pay school fees. I earn $900 per month Your Worship, I can’t afford to support our child on my own while his father is earning $1 600 per month,” said Ms Mugari.

Tshuma said he could not afford to pay the money that was being claimed.

He said he was contributing to the upkeep of his child.

“I have been paying hospital bills for our child and sometimes I pay school fees. I think Blessing has forgotten that she also has an obligation to maintain that child. Some of the things that she wants are unreasonable. For example, what type of a Corolla can require $200 for service every month? I think she just dragged me to court so that she can be milking money from me,” said Tshuma.

He said Ms Mugari told the court that she earns $900 and wondered if their son needs $2 200 per month for upkeep.

Tshuma said he could only afford to pay $250 as he has other responsibilities which include paying $490 for house bills.

Maintenance Court Magistrate Mr Manasa Musiiwa ordered Tshuma to pay $280 monthly.

“The application for garnishee order is hereby granted. The garnishee is hereby ordered to deduct $280 per month as maintenance for the upkeep of one minor child with effect from September 30, 2016. The respondent is further ordered to cater for the minor child’s medical expenses and clothing when it would be required,” he said. — @cynthiamthembo1