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Noleen Makhurane Court Reporter
A Bulawayo man on Thursday jumped with joy at the maintenance court after discovering he had a four-year-old son.

Mlungisi Sibanda had been dragged to the maintenance court by his estranged girlfriend Zanele Ntini claiming $100 for the upkeep of their son.

Sibanda told magistrate Adelaide Mbeure that he did not know he had a son.

“I’m so happy right now. I was shocked when I got the summons. He’s a duplicate of me. My heart is filled with joy. Zanele for the past four years never mentioned to me that I had a son,” he said, lifting up the boy and hugging him.

Sibanda told the court that he would never have refused to support his child if he knew he had one.

Ntini said she had never told Sibanda of their son. “I would like to withdraw my application for maintenance since the father has agreed to support his son. We shall work out some arrangement out of court,” she said.

An elated Sibanda lifted his son and told the court he was going to look after him.

Magistrate Mbeure dismissed the application by consent.