The Sunday News
Lynnia Ndlovu Sunday News Reporter
A GWANDA pastor stunned the court when he claimed that he was not offering a single cent as maintenance to look after his daughter who is epileptic, claiming that he was no longer getting anything from ministering the word of God since some members of his church who used to pay tithes had abandoned his ministry.
Agon Zhou (33) of Phakama who is the founder of Last Trumpet Ministries was last week dragged to court by his ex-wife, Patricia Khumalo of Jahunda suburb who is claiming $250 per month for the upkeep of their 10-year-old daughter with a disability.
Zhou told Gwanda magistrate, Ms Nomagugu Ncube that he could not offer anything for his daughter since he was not earning anything from his church after members left and also that he is yet to look for a job in which he is not assured that he will get it.
“I know that I should take care of our child but I don’t have any assurance that I can be able to pay maintenance every month for I am not employed. I tried to offer groceries that I was getting from church but Patricia refused so I don’t know what I can do now. Our daughter was staying with my mother before she passed away, Patricia didn’t do anything for her. She should look after the child since it’s also hers,” said Zhou in court.
Ms Ncube judged in favour of Zhou and dismissed the maintenance application.
Ms Khumalo felt that she was not fairly treated and reported the matter to Legal Aid for Justice.
“I don’t like the judgment I was given, more so I don’t have money since I am not employed. I sell airtime for an income. Zhou is lying that he doesn’t have money because he has a shop, more so he rents a house. How can the case be dismissed without the courts even awarding a single cent for a child who needs so much attention and care?’’ she said.
