Caroline Chibaya dragged her ex-husband Alfred Mandido to Harare Civil Court, asking for $250 monthly support for their 17-year-old son, who has ADHD, and she claims the dad kept the kid out of school for a year while pushing traditional healers instead of actual treatment. She wants him in a boarding rehab program because the teen keeps disappearing for days at a time under the father's watch, and she paid tuition herself until the money dried up.
Mandido said he lives with the boy and buys his medication, offering only $50 per month since he hustles around $150 with no real job. Magistrate Hannah Fazilahmed ruled they need to find a proper special-needs school and split all costs equally between both parents, but she told Chibaya she cannot claim maintenance while the kid lives with the dad and should file for custody instead if he blocks education.
The court pointed out that keeping children from school violates their rights under Zimbabwean law, and Chibaya was advised to call the police if the situation continues.
Mandido said he lives with the boy and buys his medication, offering only $50 per month since he hustles around $150 with no real job. Magistrate Hannah Fazilahmed ruled they need to find a proper special-needs school and split all costs equally between both parents, but she told Chibaya she cannot claim maintenance while the kid lives with the dad and should file for custody instead if he blocks education.
The court pointed out that keeping children from school violates their rights under Zimbabwean law, and Chibaya was advised to call the police if the situation continues.
