A Zanu PF legislator offered US$20 in maintenance for his baby claiming he went broke after investing a lot towards his campaigns ahead of the 2023 elections.
The Mazowe North legislator Tsungai Makumbe told Harare magistrate Meenal Narotam that he was only getting US$282 from Parliament sittings, which he said was not even enough to cater for his family needs.
He accused his ex-lover Lydia Makuvure of trying to punish him by claiming US$425 for their nine-month-old baby.
Makuvure told the court that the legislator was lying as he had other businesses as well as an agriculture plot.
“I stayed with him and that’s how I became aware of his earnings,” she said.
“I am also actively involved in politics under the ruling party, so I know how much our leaders get paid.”
Narotam ordered Makumbe to pay US$50 towards the upkeep of his child.