Victor Fukwa, a headmaster from Marange, told the Mutare Civil Court that he is only able to contribute US$30 per month for the upkeep of his two young children, far short of the US$500 monthly support demanded by his estranged wife, Trust Mutengerere.
Fukwa defended his position by pointing to the dire financial situation faced by teachers in Zimbabwe, who earn less than US$300 a month, or under ZiG4,000, making it difficult to meet even basic family obligations.
Mutengerere, who brought the case before the court, accused Fukwa of abandoning his financial duties as a father.
She claimed he had repeatedly failed to pay school fees or provide essentials, leaving her to shoulder the full responsibility of caring for their children alone. Said Mutengerere:
My husband has left me to carry the weight of parenting alone. He has turned his back on his responsibilities, and I am the one who has to provide and care for our children without any help or contribution from him.
She said she had avoided court action for a long time to protect her husband’s reputation in the community.
However, she felt compelled to seek legal intervention for the sake of their children.
Fukwa cited his limited salary, which he claimed barely covered his transportation costs, let alone provided for his children.
He justified his meagre financial support by citing the burden of supporting other children and the deductions from his salary for a loan. Said Fukwa:
I cannot afford to pay US$500. My salary is barely enough to cover my transportation costs to work. I have other children to care for, and on top of that, I have a loan being deducted from my salary. So US$30 is all I can manage right now.
Mutengerere countered Fukwa’s claims of financial hardship, revealing to the court that her husband owned a profitable shop, which he had not disclosed.
In response, Fukwa described the shop as a “small tuck-shop” that generated minimal income.
Presiding over the case, Mutare magistrate Prisca Manhibi ordered Fukwa to pay a total of US$150 per month for the upkeep of his two children.
More: The Manica Post
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