By Blessing Masakadza and Adoration Bizure
Struggling Orchestra Dendera Kings boss, Allan Chimbetu was hauled before the Harare Civil Court by his estranged lover Tambudzai Chatambudza over a maintenance dispute.
Chatambudza is applying for an upwards variation in maintenance to US$150 as monthly maintenance for their 11-year-old kid. She told the court that Chimbetu last paid maintenance in Zimbabwe dollars.
She said the money was meant for the upkeep of the child. “The money is to buy food, pay rent and rates,” she said. In his response, Chimbetu told the court that he was offering US$30 towards the upkeep of the child, an offer disputed by Chatambudza. He added that he would buy clothes and pay school fees for his son.
Chimbetu told the court he was not in a position to meet Chatambudza’s claim since he had fallen on hard times as well. Allan had difficulties in disclosing his monthly earnings. He, however, told the court that he holds at least three shows per month getting US$80 per show. “It’s difficult to say exactly but on average we get US$240 per month,” he said.
“We hold at least three shows per month getting US$80 per show,” he said. That would mean Allan would face a tough task as he would have to split the single bean amidst a whole band and at that rate, they would probably end as paupers deserving the name Orchestra Poverty Kings instead! He further argued that he had other fruits of his loin whom he was looking after.
“I have four other children who look up to me for their upkeep,” said the beleaguered crooner. He added that he had two other children whom he was paying maintenance for born out of wedlock over and above the four he has in the flock. “I have two other children whom I pay maintenance for, to the tune of US$50 and US$60 respectively,” he said.
Magistrate Barbara Chimboza, who presided over the case, ordered Chimbetu to pay US$60 per month as maintenance with effect from February 28. Allan would hopefully stop sowing seed knowing he does not have fertiliser to look after the germinated little shoots! H Metro
