The Sunday News
PROMINENT Gweru bus operator, Mr Edwin Muzvuru has been dragged to the civil court by his ex-girlfriend, Ms Faith Chiwawa, who is demanding over $1 000 as maintenance for the upkeep of their five-year-old son.
According to court documents, Ms Chiwawa, who is employed at the Midlands State University, is accusing the businessman of neglecting their son by lodging her in a single room in Mambo suburb while his family was reportedly living large in the leafy Kopje suburb.
In her founding affidavit, Ms Chiwawa said she was used to a flashy life with Mr Muzvuru providing her with everything from his US$9 000 per month expenditure on family but was now living a different life after the bus operator dumped her and the child.
“Of all the five children that Edwin has, my child with him is the youngest with only five years. The boy requires medical attention and moral support from parents. While Edwin Muzvuru’s justification that the business might have suffered serious challenges and the income that he used to get from the three buses, the UD truck and the three houses might now be a bit low as compared to the past year, for him to say that his total income is $800 is a serious joke,” Ms Chiwawa said.
Ms Chiwawa who claimed she was earning $300 from the Midlands State University said she was struggling to pay her rent as well as fend for her son.
She further argued that Mr Muzvuru was still living a lavish life while his child was languishing in poverty.
“As evidenced by receipts attached, Edwin is still very capable of paying his children fees except for my child. He is still affording to stay in one of the best suburbs in Gweru yet his other child with me, is living in a single room in Mambo suburb, compromising his standards.
“Edwin owns a number of houses in Gweru, he owns a house in Senga and the house is occupied by more than 15 students from the Midlands State University who are being charged $70 per head, yet he claims his businesses have drastically collapsed,” argued Chiwawa.
In his opposing affidavits, Mr Muzvuru is arguing that he is no longer into business and all his buses ceased to be operational in 2013.
The businessman, who intends to pay $150 as maintenance for his son with Ms Chiwawa, said the collapse of his bus company resulted in him losing a lot of contracts even with some big companies.
“I was a businessman who ceased operations in July 2013 due to the breakdown of the company’s buses and the subsequent loss of business particularly the Sino Zimbabwe bus hiring contract as attached in the letter dated 24 January 2013. Therefore there is no way in this situation I can afford to pay $1 100 as maintenance.
“Since the fall of our business life has been so difficult for me I was left in a pool of debts that range from non payment of workers, NSSA bills, Zesa, water and council rates,” argued Mr Muzvuru.
The magistrate, Mr Tendai Madanhire, is expected to deliver his ruling this week.
