A day after his application for referral to the Constitutional Court, challenging parts of the Maintenance Act was dismissed, Sulumani Chimbetu was back in court. He pleaded for the court to grant him a peace order arguing that his ex-wife was abusive and was seeking to humiliate and ruin him.
In his testimony Sulumani disputed the arrears saying:
If I had not paid the money, why then did she lie to court that I had given her the money? Therefore I do not know where these arrears are coming from.
I am a responsible father, but sometimes I fail to give her the money on time because of economic hardships. Before I could raise the $800, she would have rushed to the police and get me arrested,
If the court can help me to get a peace order against this woman. I cannot even work for the kids because she is always taking me to the courts
However, his ex-wife Marygold Mutemasango, refuted the allegations saying:
He promised me a car and a stand so that I would withdraw the charges, but he did not deliver. He has to maintain his children. It does not matter whether my father is rich or what, still he has to pay up.
Without a warrant of arrest, this man does not pay the money and it is now a habit which irritates me.
The trial continues on June 20.
More: Herald
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