…… Mtapa woman arrested for dual maintenance claims in Gweru
By Dumisani Ndlovu
In a shocking turn of events at the Gweru Civil Court on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Magret Sinandima of Mtapa found herself embroiled in a scandal that has captivated the local community.
Sinandima, who is employed at Peace Security, was arrested after the truth of her alleged deception regarding child maintenance payments was revealed before Senior Civil Court Magistrate, Blessings Tsingano.
The courtroom was charged with tension as the presiding Magistrate Tsingano listened to the intricate details of the case. Sinandima had claimed maintenance from two different men, using distinct surnames and child names for each claim.
The legal proceedings spiraled into drama when her current boyfriend, Muujum Madzimure, was dragged into the fray, being summoned to pay $65 for the maintenance of a child he believed was not his. In the court Magret presented everything convincingly.
“Your Worship, I understand maintaining a child is both a right and responsibility, and I never imagined I would face such dishonesty,” said Stephen Sinandima, visibly upset as he recounted his experience in the courtroom.
“How can she claim maintance from me when a certain man is also paying maintanance for the same child,” added Madzimure without mincing his words.
This revelation led to the unmasking of Sinandima’s earlier case against Stephen Sinandima, where she had successfully won a maintenance claim, invoking the surname Marange. Under this case number GWM 376/22, she had presented herself as a single mother struggling to make ends meet for her child.
Court officials were bewildered by the case, as it raised significant questions on the integrity of maintenance claims. “This case is unprecedented,” remarked one court official present at the scene. “It highlights a serious flaw in how such claims are verified. We must ensure the protection of innocent parties from such manipulations.”
As the drama unfolded, Sinandima remained silent, her expression a mix of defiance and vulnerability. The court expressed its intent to thoroughly investigate the matter, aware that the ramifications could extend beyond this singular incident.
“Justice needs to be served not just for the individuals involved but for the integrity of our legal system,” said one spectator who was in the court gallery.
As the gavel fell in what could be described as a courtroom thriller, the community clamored for answers, eager to understand how a woman could orchestrate such a web of lies. Magret Sinandima now faces serious charges that could alter the course of her life, leaving many wondering if the quest for maintenance—meant to support a child—had become a deceitful ploy.
The Gweru courts are expected to follow up with this unprecedented case, sending ripples throughout the city and sparking discussions on the need for reform in family law.
Interestingly, the legal proceedings that followed have highlighted various underlying themes that resonate with many members of the public. The case was initially adjourned, leaving both the accused and the community in a state of suspense. By the afternoon, Magistrate Tsingano made the decisive choice to dismiss the case, albeit with a caveat.
The magistrate called for further investigation by the police, acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations but also the need to thoroughly vet the claims made.
