UK based lawyer flies to Zim to claim $3 000 monthly maintenance

A UNITED KINGDOM-based lawyer flew into Harare to claim US$3 000 monthly maintenance for a 14-year-old child she had with a Zimbabwean businessman.

Ms Ruvimbo Jacqueline Pfumojena took Bobbi Fuel and Transport director Mr Sydney Farirai to the Harare Civil Court yesterday seeking maintenance.

The boy is studying and staying with his mother in the UK.

"Your Worship, Mr Farirai is a man of means who owns a vast business empire and can afford to pay this amount.

"He has never contributed towards the upkeep of his child for the past 14 years and the child is now in year 10, an equivalent of Zimbabwe's Form 3," she said.

Ms Pfumojena said although the boy is attending a non-fee school, he has Zimbabwean citizenship and doesn't enjoy that benefit.

Mr Farirai, who was represented by his lawyer Mrs Farirai Maenzanise, offered US$200.
"I sold part of Bobbi Fuel and Transport to Sakunda Energy. I have seven other children to take care of with my income of US$2 109.

"The amount she is claiming is ridiculous. How can she claim US$500 for clothing, US$275 for holidays and US$1 000 for a domestic worker per month among other things?" he asked.

Mr Farirai, who appeared to have forgotten that he had a lawyer, left the court in stitches after he shouted that: "What is left of the company are few parked trucks."

He however, failed to produce proof that he indeed sold his company to Sakunda Energy.
Resident magistrate Mr Brighton Pabwe will make a ruling on the matter today.

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