Popular Dendera musician Allan Chimbetu on Thursday received a suspended sentence of one year in jail for failing to pay child maintenance, but was told he would land behind bars if he missed any more payments.
Mr. Chimbetu appeared before Mutare magistrate Noah Gwatidzo, who told him that he would not go to jail on the condition that he does not miss any more child maintenance payments.
Chimbetu denies that the child of Tsitsi Rambanapasi is his and demands a DNA test to confirm.
Prosecutor Walter Saunyama dismissed Chimbetu’s claims, calling a paternity test a waste of the court’s time.
Lower courts last year ordered the musician to pay $70 per month for the maintenance of the child.
Chimbetu failed to comply with the court decision, though reportedly paid $690 a couple of days before Thursday's court appearance.
Media reports say that the musician was arrested just two weeks ago soon after his performance at the Unity Gala in Gokwe for failure to pay child maintenance to estranged wife Mildred Mapuranga, with whom the musician has an 11-year old daughter.
Mr. Chimbetu appeared before Mutare magistrate Noah Gwatidzo, who told him that he would not go to jail on the condition that he does not miss any more child maintenance payments.
Chimbetu denies that the child of Tsitsi Rambanapasi is his and demands a DNA test to confirm.
Prosecutor Walter Saunyama dismissed Chimbetu’s claims, calling a paternity test a waste of the court’s time.
Lower courts last year ordered the musician to pay $70 per month for the maintenance of the child.
Chimbetu failed to comply with the court decision, though reportedly paid $690 a couple of days before Thursday's court appearance.
Media reports say that the musician was arrested just two weeks ago soon after his performance at the Unity Gala in Gokwe for failure to pay child maintenance to estranged wife Mildred Mapuranga, with whom the musician has an 11-year old daughter.