HARARE - Charles Mukanhairi, a CAPS United midfielder, has been ordered by a Harare Civil Court magistrate to pay $70 monthly for the upkeep of his child.
Magistrate Gamuchirai Siwardi gave the judgment after the footballer’s girlfriend Thelma Batsiao failed to produce proof that he earns $700 as she had alleged.
Batsiao was demanding $250 for the upkeep of their two-year-old son, claiming the footballer earns a lot of money but was neglecting his child since he was born.
She had told magistrate Siwardi that Mukanhairi earns a lot of money from playing soccer and is able to foot the bill.
“He is a soccer player for CAPS United and earns about $600 to $700 per match,” Batsiao said.
“He has a wife but the two have no children together. I am a hairdresser and realise $5 a day.
“The money I want will cater for rentals, food, medication and clothing for the child.”
Mukanhairi had offered $40, saying he earns $300 per month.
“I earn $300 per month and sometimes we do not get paid because of the financial crisis our team is facing,” the footballer said.
“My wife is pregnant and I also take care of my extended family including my grandmother.”
Batsiao queried Mukanhairi’s income and kept on insisting that the footballer earns a lot of money.
Siwardi had ordered Batsiao to bring the midfielder’s proof of earnings which she failed to secure leading to the magistrate granting $70 for the child’s upkeep.