Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara, [email protected]
A 53-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has appeared in court for allegedly defaulting on child maintenance payments and his arrears are now about US$5 000.
Vincent Marasha of Nketa 9 suburb, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Patience Madondo facing charges of contravening Section 23(1) of the Maintenance Act (Chapter 5:09), which criminalises failure to comply with the terms of a maintenance order.
The matter was postponed to February 9 for continuation of trial.
Marasha is the former husband of the complainant.
Prosecuting, Ms Rumbidzai Gwishiri told the court that on August 3, 2023, Marasha was ordered to pay US$120 per month towards the upkeep of his two minor children, with effect from August 31, 2023. The order also required him to meet the children’s school-related expenses.
The court heard that Marasha failed to comply with the order under case number P10/11, resulting in maintenance arrears amounting to US$4 766.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to his arrest.
In his defence, Marasha told the court that he had intended to rent out two rooms allocated to him in order to raise income to meet his maintenance obligations. However, he said his ex-wife refused to allow him to put tenants in the rooms, making it difficult for him to generate the required funds.
The Maintenance Act places a legal duty on parents to provide for their minor children, with courts empowered to impose penalties — including fines or imprisonment — on defaulters.
