The Sunday Mail
Troubled MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai is likely to be dragged to the courts this week over allegations that he abandoned a child he fathered with a young Bulawayo-based woman, Ms Loreta Nyathi.
Mr Tsvangirai, currently facing a wave of personal and political problems that include poor health and internal party squabbles, will come under increased public scrutiny as he appears in court for failing to take care of his four-year-old son Ethan. Ms Nyathi is understood to be ready to sue and a maintenance letter has already been drafted.
Last week, The Sunday Mail investigations team managed to source pictures of Ms Nyathi, who has been written about for the past four years but had managed to remain faceless by evading the media after Tsvangirai directed her never to reveal her face to the media over fears of a public backlash because of her youthful appearance. She was 21 when she was approached by Tsvangirai.
The Sunday Mail also acquired pictures of Ethan, but the editorial team decided against publishing images of the child.
Apart from abandoning child support responsibilities, Mr Tsvangirai also stands accused of leaking information to the media to discredit Ms Nyathi.
Last week Tsvangirai’s aides allegedly fed false information to media houses alleging Tsvangirai had met with Ms Nyathi in a Harare hotel. The reports are believed to be designed to frustrate the 25-year-old into not pursuing legal action against the former prime minister.
The source that provided pictures of Ms Nyathi and spoke on condition of anonymity said Ms Nyathi is fed up and has determined to take legal action.
The Sunday Mail was given details of how Ms Nyathi has struggled to make ends meet after Mr Tsvangirai stopped paying his monthly maintenance obligation of US$2 200 last August. After losing the July 31, 2013 polls Mr Tsvangirai’s finances nose-dived after donors withheld funds over his failure to defeat President Robert Mugabe. At one point, his lawyer, Mr Innocent Chagonda, paid the maintenance fees from his own pocket. Tsvangirai is said to have later managed to raise US$300 for the upkeep of his son, the source added.
Tsvangirai’s Grade Zero son is believed to be suffering humiliation as he is constantly chased away from class over non-payment of tuition fees.
Interestingly, Mr Tsvangirai made headlines for forking out US$300 000 to settle his collapsed 10-day customary marriage to Harare businesswoman Ms Locardia Karimatsenga.
His South African ex-girlfriend, Ms Nosipho Shilubane, also claimed last year that they enjoyed numerous holiday trips to the pleasant beaches of the Seychelles.
Last week political and social commentators slammed Tsvangirai after it emerged he did not have basic medical aid cover following reports that he had fled from a local hospital without settling his bill.
It has also emerged that Tsvangirai continues to refuse to take a birth certificate for the boy despite previously promising to do so.
Tsvangirai’s aides are said to have met Ms Nyathi in Harare and told her that Tsvangirai was bankrupt and was requesting for more time to settle his outstanding maintenance dues.
The Sunday Mail’s source defended the decision to supply the pictures of Ms Nyathi, saying she had become a slave of fear “although she has done nothing wrong. Why should Loreta hide when she has done nothing wrong?
“Tsvangirai keeps threatening her that he will destroy her using his contacts in the media if she takes legal action against him or shows anyone her face.
“She is really in a difficult place and this blackmail has to stop. Tsvangirai should just take care of his child. Is that too much to ask?
“Domestic workers at his mansion who are barely literate drive nice cars, but his own child is barred from attending class due to non-payment of fees. Tsvangirai’s son uses public transport while his father is buying cars for domestic workers. Where are his priorities?
“Tsvangirai’s son needs money for rent, fees, groceries, a domestic worker and other bills, but his father, who is well known for splashing huge sums of money, is neglecting him. That pains me a lot. I can’t see my friend continue suffering like this.
“Since he is not willing to fulfil his obligations, I hope she remains strong and carries through with her legal action.”
Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesman, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka, could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was not reachable.
