Online Reporter
Takudzwa Mangorozah
Herald Reporter
A MAN from Harare who accumulated child maintenance arrears amounting to US$100 over four months has been ordered by the Civil Court to settle the debt in instalments.
Beatrice Bwanandu had applied for a garnishee order against Tendai Zonde, accusing him of defaulting and owing her US$300 in maintenance.
Zonde, however, denied the amount, claiming he only owed US$100.
“She is lying, I only owe her US$100,” he told the court.
When asked why he had not been depositing the money into the bank account, Zonde said, “I receive my salary in cash and if I want to deposit it, the bank charges will strain me.”
However, presiding magistrate Hannah Fazilahmed advised that depositing maintenance through the bank provided proof of payment, a point Zonde acknowledged as a mistake on his part.
Zonde admitted that he had not paid for four months, citing financial difficulties after contributing towards a funeral. He also told the court that his income varies from month to month.
Although Bwanandu disputed the claim that he owed only US$100, she allowed the court to record that amount.
Zonde also asked the court for a downward variation, saying he had another family to support.
Magistrate Fazilahmed ruled that the maintenance would remain at US$100 per month, to be paid directly to the applicant, and that the debt be cleared through US$50 monthly instalments until fully paid.
