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Tanaka Mrewa, Court Reporter
A MAGISTRATE has chided a 26-year-old man from Bulawayo who still lives with his parents after he offered to pay $20 for the upkeep of his five-year-old child.

Busani Chipanda was dragged to court by Zazi Moyo, 25, who was demanding $220 maintenance for the child.

Chapanda told magistrate Batanai Tuwe that he could only afford to pay $20.

“I’m a student at Westgate Technical College. My father is paying $100 fees for me. I don’t have a job and I reside with my parents in Entumbane,” said Chapanda.

Tuwe asked Chapanda what $20 would buy.

“It can buy a pair of shoes, T-shirt and ice-cream,” he said.

Chapanda said Moyo left the child in his custody for three years when she went to South Africa.

“She went to reside in South Africa. Our child was living with my grandmother but when she returned she took him back. She transferred him to an expensive school in town,” he said.

Moyo said Chapanda was reluctant to maintain the child because she had taken him from his custody.

“He drives commuter omnibuses and that should at least give him some money to be able to pay maintenance. Last month he only gave us $5,” said Moyo.

“I’ve resorted to selling clothes that I buy from South Africa. Last time I had to travel with my son because I had no one to leave him with.”

The magistrate berated Chipanda and said he should change his attitude towards his child and take responsibility as a man.

“Your father is sending you to school and you should do the same for your son instead of talking about buying him ice-cream. This court orders you to pay $80 for the upkeep of your child,” ruled Tuwe.