Bulawayo Doctor Faces Child Support Dispute Amid Paternity Questions.
A Zimbabwean dentist faces legal challenges after allegedly fathering a child with a student intern under his supervision.
Dr. Munashe Murava appeared in court following a child support complaint from Abigail Sibanda, a Zambian university student. Sibanda told the court she met Murava during her clinical attachment at his practice. Their relationship turned intimate, resulting in her pregnancy in 2021.
The court heard that Murava made regular maintenance payments of US$200 from December 2022 through August 2023. He then stopped paying, accumulating arrears of US$2,200. When questioned about the missed payments, Murava requested a DNA test to confirm paternity. The test results remain pending.
Sibanda petitioned the court to increase the monthly support from US$200 to US$830. Murava contested this request, citing his US$700 monthly income and obligations to four other children. He offered to pay US$100 per month and denied ownership of the medical practice.
Magistrate Challenge Mahembe set the new maintenance amount at US$350 per month, effective until the child turns 18. The ruling stressed that child support should remain fair and emphasized both parents' responsibility toward their child's upbringing.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in child support enforcement and the intersection of workplace relationships with professional conduct in Zimbabwe's medical sector.
A Zimbabwean dentist faces legal challenges after allegedly fathering a child with a student intern under his supervision.
Dr. Munashe Murava appeared in court following a child support complaint from Abigail Sibanda, a Zambian university student. Sibanda told the court she met Murava during her clinical attachment at his practice. Their relationship turned intimate, resulting in her pregnancy in 2021.
The court heard that Murava made regular maintenance payments of US$200 from December 2022 through August 2023. He then stopped paying, accumulating arrears of US$2,200. When questioned about the missed payments, Murava requested a DNA test to confirm paternity. The test results remain pending.
Sibanda petitioned the court to increase the monthly support from US$200 to US$830. Murava contested this request, citing his US$700 monthly income and obligations to four other children. He offered to pay US$100 per month and denied ownership of the medical practice.
Magistrate Challenge Mahembe set the new maintenance amount at US$350 per month, effective until the child turns 18. The ruling stressed that child support should remain fair and emphasized both parents' responsibility toward their child's upbringing.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in child support enforcement and the intersection of workplace relationships with professional conduct in Zimbabwe's medical sector.
