Court Orders Soldier To Pay US$30 Maintenance For Child Pending DNA Test

A Harare magistrate has ordered a soldier and his former partner to go for a DNA test to establish the paternity of their child, following a dispute over maintenance.

The order came after Rutendo Kalinda, from Harare, took her former partner — a serving soldier — to court, demanding US$100 a month in maintenance for their seven-month-old baby.

Kalinda told the Harare Civil Court that she needed the money to cover the child’s basic needs, including food, nappies, clothing and toys.

The magistrate ruled that a DNA test must be conducted before the issue of maintenance can be finalised. Said Kalindi:

“I am only asking for what is fair and necessary to ensure my child has a healthy start in life.”

Mark Shambare, a member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), told the court he can only afford US$25 in monthly maintenance for his infant child, citing financial constraints.

He explained that from his gross salary of US$250, plus ZiG 2 000, a large portion is being used to repay a loan, leaving him with very little disposable income. Said Shambare:

“I have four other children with my wife, I take care of my parents, I pay rent, and I am going to school.”

Shambare told the court that he used to take care of the child consistently, but stopped after receiving a message from Kalinda claiming that the baby was not his.

Kalinda told the court that she had sent the message in a moment of emotion and insisted it was not true.

Presiding Magistrate Hannah Fazilahamed granted a temporary maintenance order of US$30 plus ZiG 700 per month for three months, pending the results of a court-ordered DNA test.

The magistrate also instructed that the paternity test be carried out within three months.