(Last Updated on December 20, 2012 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Businessman Temba Mliswa is engaged in a custody wrangle with his girlfriend Memory Chinyamutangira over his son at Harare civil courts Chinyamutangira is seeking custody of the minor.
In her affidavit Chinyamutangira alleges that Mliswa took the minor from her pretending he was going on holiday with him, but never returned.
In his counter response Mliswa told the court that he took the child into his custody because he is made to stay with his maternal grandmother in Goromonzi.
“I have the capacity to look after my children, I sired seven children with different women and they are staying with their respective mothers,” said Mliswa.
“None of my children has ever complained, but applicant is of no fixed aboard. “I have no problem with my child staying with his mother, but she works in a Casino and always comes home late.
“I have enrolled my child at an expensive crèche which cost US$800 if she is to stay with the child she is suppose to match such standards.
“Your Worship there is a difference between a woman and a mother, being a mother comes with the responsibility of mothering a child. In this case our child is staying with a third party instead of her or me.
“This application is brought up because she doesn’t like my wife and there is no proof that the child is being ill treated. It is surprising because I never had any problems with her boyfriends when she was staying with the child,” he said.
Chinyamutangira welcomed all the material things Mliswa was saying would provide the child on condition that she has custody.
“It is the duty of the father to send his child to school and make sure that he is well feed. “Surely there is also a difference between being a man and being a father. The father should never seek credit for taking care of his child because it is his responsibility.
“Unless the father makes an application for custody the law provides that the child belongs with his mother,” she said.
Magistrate Mr Milton Serima postponed the matter to January 9 to allow Mliswa to submit his opposing affidavit.