adminMercy Ngwebvu
“I AM not going to be lenient with you. As a law enforcing agent, you knew very well that defaulting paying maintenance is an offence. I am ordering for a $350 garnish from your salary until you have paid off the arrears you have.”
This was the fate of Alex Kawawa, a policeman who was dragged to court by his ex-wife last week for accruing maintenance arrears amounting to $1 890.
Appearing before Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sharon Chipanga, Kawawa asked her to be lenient with him because he earns $440 and garnishing $350 from that would leave him wallowing in poverty.
“Your Worship, I am asking you to consider my plight. I earn $440 and I have loans which I am supposed to pay back,” he said.
His attempt to ask for mercy was, however, rubbished by the magistrate, who insisted that she was using him as an example and lesson for others who take court orders for granted.
“I will be strict with you and others in your situation so that you will understand the meaning of paying maintenance as well as the failure to do so.
“With effect from the 30th of this month, $350 will be garnished from your salary to clear your arrears and you will pay an additional $90 for the maintenance of your child,” ruled Mrs Chipanga.
After being slapped with the somewhat harsh judgment, Kawawa proceeded to make a plea for access to his child living with Plaxedes.
“I am asking for access to my child because my ex-wife’s parents are denying me access saying I should pay the pride-price first. I also want to get a birth certificate for my child so that he carries my name,” he petitioned.
Said Mrs Chipanga,“You have a right to have access to the child because you are the father. Obtaining a birth certificate for that child should not be a problem either. I want both of you to come back here on December 19 with a copy of that child’s birth certificate.”
Online Reporter