36-year-old man jailed for defaulting on child support

Dalyn Chigwizura

A 36-year-old Bulawayo man has been jailed for six months after failing to pay court-ordered maintenance for his child, resulting in arrears of US$400.

Melvin Khumalo of Emakhandeni suburb was convicted on his own plea of guilty to failing to pay maintenance by Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube.

Khumalo was sentenced to six months in prison, with three months suspended for three years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within that period.

The remaining three months were suspended on condition he pays the outstanding US$400.
Prosecuting, Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that on July 30, Khumalo was ordered by the Western Commonage Magistrates’ Court to pay US$100 per month for the upkeep of his minor child.

The order followed an application by his former wife, Martha Banda.

“Since the order was issued, the offender never paid any amount, resulting in the accumulation of US$400 arrears,” said Mr Dzimbanhete.
A report was made to the police, leading to Khumalo’s arrest.