A significant ruling from a Bulawayo magistrate has brought relief to a Gweru man, Givemore Shekede, who had been ordered to provide financial support for two minor children allegedly fathered with his former partner, Mazvita Chinyoka.
The landmark decision, made last week by Magistrate Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe, has resonated deeply with Zimbabwean men seeking clarity and fairness in child maintenance cases.
Magistrate Chikwekwe’s decision to discharge the maintenance order means that Shekede, who had been paying US$350 monthly for the children, aged 12 and eight, will no longer be obligated to provide financial support until paternity is definitively established. This ruling comes after Chinyoka repeatedly refused to undergo paternity tests, despite multiple court orders and Shekede’s requests.
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Chinyoka’s consistent avoidance of the paternity tests, intended to confirm whether the children are Shekede’s biological offspring, has been a source of frustration. According to court records, Chinyoka has actively evaded these tests, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the maintenance claims.
In his ruling, Magistrate Chikwekwe ordered Chinyoka to immediately undergo paternity testing at the National Blood Services in Harare, emphasizing that she had been previously informed about the tests on two occasions but failed to comply. Chikwekwe noted that Chinyoka’s claim of not having the means to travel to Harare was unconvincing, given her employment with the Ministry of Public Service and Social Welfare, which indicates a level of financial stability and awareness of legal obligations.
Chikwekwe highlighted Shekede’s commitment to the case, noting his consistent maintenance payments and his efforts to attend court proceedings despite the distance from Gweru to Bulawayo. The magistrate underscored that Shekede’s right to verify the paternity of the children should be respected.
In a decisive move, the magistrate discharged the maintenance order, effectively halting Shekede’s financial responsibilities until paternity is confirmed. Chikwekwe also gave Chinyoka the opportunity to initiate the DNA tests if she continues to assert that the children are indeed Shekede’s.
The ruling has been celebrated by many Zimbabwean men as a victory for those demanding fairness in child maintenance cases.
