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Lethokuhle Moyo
A PROMINENT Bulawayo medical practitioner who was dragged to the Maintenance Court by his wife demanding $3,700 a month was yesterday ordered to pay $350 per month for the upkeep of their six-year-old daughter. Dr Nkonzo Ndebele and his estranged wife Grace Ndlovu, briefly separated last year but later reconciled. But the wife applied for maintenance in an application that also saw her demanding an additional $4,500 per term for school fees and related expenses for their daughter. Magistrate Charity Maphosa yesterday ordered Dr Ndebele to pay all the costs of the child’s school fees and buy uniforms at least once each term.

“The respondent shall subscribe the child for medical aid cover and to pay all the total subscriptions. The respondent shall pay for any extra two curriculum activities and for any tournaments,” said the magistrate.

She further ordered Dr Ndebele to buy casual clothing for the child once each term at a cost of $150. Two weeks ago, Ndlovu, who runs a bar in the city, claimed in court that Ndebele earns more than $25,000 a month from his surgery and can afford to maintain the lavish and “sophisticated lifestyle” that their daughter was accustomed to. She said she needed money every month for the following: dog food – $100; generator and fuel – $150; rent – $400; gardener’s salary – $150; computer servicing and updates – $50 among other things which magistrate Maphosa dismissed.

Dr Ndebele had confirmed that he runs a surgery but dismissed claims that he was earning $25,000 per month saying his income was less than $3,000 per month.

He argued that their daughter lives a normal life within their financial means and the maintenance claim was just a ploy by Ndlovu to get money from him using their daughter.