Harare Civil Court has ruled that Douglas Mwonzora, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T), must pay a monthly maintenance fee of US$500 for the support of his nine-year-old son. Mwonzora’s ex-lover, Gertrude Chuma, had brought the case before the court, originally seeking a maintenance fee of US$1,500 per month.
Chuma accused Mwonzora of neglecting his parental responsibilities, specifically highlighting his failure to pay the child’s school fees and provide for the child’s needs. The magistrate, Meenal Narotam, granted a default judgment in favour of Chuma, acknowledging Mwonzora’s ownership of a farm and describing him as “a man of means.”
According to Chuma’s testimony, Mwonzora had hindered communication between them, leaving her with no choice but to seek the court’s intervention to ensure that their child’s needs are met.
“He has blocked me from communicating with him. I had no choice, but come to ask for the court to intervene so that my child’s needs are met and his school fees are paid for.
“He has been persistent in enrolling the child at a private school yet he has not been contributing to school the fees,” Chuma told the court.
