HARARE - Sungura legend Alick Macheso’s ex-wife Tafadzwa Fortunate Mapako will receive more than $1 000 in child and spousal support, a Harare magistrate ruled yesterday.
Harare Civil Court magistrate Tafadzwa Muvhami ordered Macheso to pay $750 for the two children Alick (Junior) and Manisha, while the ex-second wife was granted $280.
Three times unlucky in love, Mapako had approached the court demanding $7 130 every month for herself and the upkeep of the two children.
This is her third divorce.
She filed the maintenance claim against the musician, saying he has been neglecting her FROM P1
since December when the two fell out over her alleged domineering character and name-dropping of top police officers and armed robbers. One of her ex-husbands was a convicted armed robber.
Macheso had cast doubt on the paternity of the two children, but his ex-wife said she was ready for a DNA test for the two children.
In her initial maintenance list demand, she was claiming $700 for rent, $1 500 for groceries, $300 for the housemaid, $300 for the gardener, $600 for motor vehicle service and allowance, $450 for the driver, $600 for children’s medical aid, $400 for water and electricity, $200 for telephone allowance, $400 for children’s clothing, $80 for DStv, $300 for fuel and $400 for extra-curricular activities.
She was also demanding $150 for her medical aid, $400 for hair and beauty therapy, $200 for her clothing and $150 for extra-curricular activities.
However, Muvhami said Mapako could do away with a housemaid, since she is not employed. He also said that she did not need a driver, and advised her to get a driver’s licence. Muvhami also refused to grant her extra-curricular and telephone allowance.
Magistrate Muvhami ordered Macheso to pay $350 for rentals, $200 for food for both children, $40 for clothes, $50 for water and electricity bills, $80 for medical aid and 20 litres of fuel estimated at $30.
For the ex-wife’s upkeep, Muvhami ordered Macheso to pay $200 for food, $50 for medical aid and $30 for clothes. In total, Macheso is to fork out $1 030 every month towards child and spousal support.
Muvhami said Macheso was supposed to take care of Mapako until the two divorce or if she dies and until the children get to the age of 18.
Muvhami said there was no divorce to talk about in a customary law union, leaving Macheso with a legal obligation to take care of his ex-wife.
“Alick’s marriage or customary union still exists, so Alick is liable for maintenance,” Muvhami said.
He further ordered that the paternity test be conducted by the National Blood Transfusion Services before June 6 this year.
Mapako had to be escorted into the court room after his lawyer Gift Nyandoro made an application for the matter to be heard in chambers, arguing that his client had been jeered at and was afraid of the “militant atmosphere” caused by Macheso’s legion of fans.
Nyandoro said Mapako was traumatised after being heckled and called names by Macheso’s fans on Wednesday.
Macheso’s lawyer Norman Mugiya opposed the application, saying that there was no need for the judgment to be handed down in chambers, since the alimony hearing was conducted in an open court, accessible to everyone.
Muvhami dismissed Nyandoro’s application, ruling that it lacked merit.
He asked for a police escort for Mapako into the court room.
There was overwhelming public attention on the case, as another crowd gathered outside the court premises, waiting for the parties to leave court.
Musician Suluman Chimbetu was also part of the crowd that graced the court case, in support of Macheso.
As soon as Macheso left the court room, his supporters broke into song, hugging the musician and creating a convivial atmosphere.
Police had to intervene to control the crowd, who were blocking the entrance, as Macheso made a grand exit from the court premises, accompanied by his first wife Nyadzisai and his children.