A Harare magistrate has ordered a local police officer to increase his monthly maintenance contributions following a dispute with the mother of his two children over medical expenses and school fees.
Ethel Musoti appeared before the Harare Civil Court on Monday, seeking US$200 for the upkeep of the two minors. She argued that the US$60 James Chimuka had been providing was insufficient to cover basic needs, including food and healthcare.
During the proceedings, Musoti informed the court that Chimuka frequently ignores his responsibilities, particularly regarding medical emergencies.
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“Even when I want to take the children to the hospital, he doesn’t respond or pay anything. It is always on me,” Musoti testified. She further alleged that Chimuka had accused her of trying to "invest" the maintenance money and flee with it rather than spending it on the children.
Chimuka, a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, contested the application. He offered to pay ZWG 1,800 and maintained that the children were already covered under his medical aid scheme. He further claimed to be providing full support for three other children from a different relationship.
“All my children are on medical aid. I pay fees in full and I have never missed a payment,” Chimuka told the court, accusing Musoti of dishonesty regarding the children’s medical bills.
Musoti rejected Chimuka's defense, claiming he had only ever made a single US$100 payment toward school fees and had never provided proof of medical insurance.
After considering both arguments, the magistrate granted a combined maintenance order of US$60 and ZWG 8,000, effective January 31, 2026. To ensure transparency, the court also ordered Chimuka to pay all school fees in full directly into the children’s school accounts.
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