A Harare man yesterday denied fathering a disabled child in court, saying it pains him to pay for his upkeep until paternity tests have been conducted.

Munyengwa Motsi told the court that he needed the paternity test to be done as soon as possible.

Eugene Madzikatire brought Motsi to court seeking an upward variation of the maintenance order from US$40 to US$100.

Motsi objected to the application indicating that he is not supposed to maintain the child.

"I can only give her US$10 to add to the US$40 while we wait for the tests.

"Besides I am married with three children," Motsi said.

"I doubt if this child is mine and I asked this woman to seek the truth from traditional healers and she refused.

"I want the paternity test desperately," he said.

In her response, Madzikatire told the court that she did not have any problems with the tests but needed money so that she could send her child to crèche.

"The US$10 he is offering is too little and since he was ordered to pay maintenance some time back he is refusing to pay and only paid once," she said.

Magistrate Ms Vongai Muchuchuti increased the maintenance order to US$50 pending the tests to be conducted by December 31 this year.