Man Gets Maintenance Reprieve

By knowledge Muneri 

A Harare man has been granted a reduction in his child maintenance payments after demonstrating financial hardship due to job loss. Thomas Gwaada petitioned the Harare Civil Court to lower his monthly contributions for his two minor children from $160 to $40. In court, Gwaada explained that his employment contract ended in October, leaving him reliant on relatives while he searches for work.

"I am no longer working; I survive with help from my relatives," he said. Gwaada noted that the children's mother, Alice Maseure, was absent from the hearing, which he believed was due to her disagreement with his request for a reduction.

Presiding Magistrate Ms. Hannah Fazilahmed acknowledged Gwaada's changed financial circumstances but ruled that the proposed $40 would be insufficient to meet the children's needs. Instead, she granted a modified maintenance payment of $70, emphasizing the importance of supporting the children.