Three custody disputes involving separated parents were heard at the Harare Civil Court on Monday.
In the first case, Conistance Madziva applied for custody of her two children, saying they were still young and needed their mother's love and care.
She alleged that after the children were placed in their father's custody, he kept them in uncomfortable living conditions. Madziva said the father had asked to keep the children for three days while he was ill but failed to return them.
Responding, Jeremiah Munenga said he requested the children because he needed emotional support while he was sick. He said he wanted to raise them himself and not have them brought up by another man whom Madziva claimed was her husband.
Munenga told the court he obtained permission from Madziva's mother and aunt to collect the children and even sent transport money. He said his uncle collected them.
However, the magistrate noted that Madziva's affidavit stated the children had been forcefully taken from her. The matter was postponed to July 13, with both parties ordered to bring the relatives they cited as witnesses.
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In a separate matter, Ruvimbo Munetsi sought custody of her two children, saying she was their biological mother.
She accused the children's father of visiting their school without informing her and alleged that he sometimes arrived with friends who drank alcohol in the child's presence. She said her concern was not the visits themselves but the lack of communication and the exposure of the child to unfamiliar people.
Paul Munetsi denied the allegations, saying he regularly attended school activities because the mother did not. He also alleged that she had tried to persuade the school to write a false letter portraying him as a bad father. He told the court the children should remain with their mother.
The magistrate ruled that both parents have equal rights to visit their child's school and may do so with whomever they choose. However, she directed them to communicate with each other before such visits to safeguard the child's welfare.
In another case, Irene Munzingi applied for custody of her two children, saying they needed their mother's care as they grew up. She alleged that the children's father often left them alone while he went to do piece jobs and had refused to let them leave with her when they separated.
Richard Muringayi said he did not object to Munzingi being granted custody but requested continued access to the children.
The magistrate directed the parties to draft a consent order outlining the father's access arrangements.
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