Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Reporter
A 43-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has been sentenced to eight months in prison after defaulting on a maintenance court-order for his three children, raking up arrears of US$1 016.
Thamsanqa Moyo of Nketa 7 suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube, who convicted him of failure to pay maintenance.
Moyo was initially sentenced to 12 months, but four months were suspended for five years on condition he does not commit a similar offence within that period.
The remaining eight months were suspended on condition he pays the full arrears by 9 January 2026.
Prosecuting, Mr Tafara Dzimbanhete told the court that Moyo had been ordered by the Western Commonage Court to pay US$125 per month towards the upkeep of his three minor children, as well as school fees, arrears and related educational costs such as uniforms and stationery.
He said Moyo failed to pay school fees for one child attending secondary school from term one 2024 to term three 2025, and also defaulted on fees for his two other children enrolled at a primary school over the same period.
Mr Dzimbanhete said Moyo also failed to pay US$125 in monthly maintenance for October 2025.
Meanwhile, in a related case, a 36-year-old Bulawayo man was slapped with a six-month prison term after failing to pay maintenance for his child as ordered by the court resulting in arrears amounting to US$400.
Melvin Khumalo of Emakhandeni suburb was convicted on his own of guilty to failure to pay maintenance by Mr Ncube.
Khumalo was sentenced to six months in prison, with three months suspended for three years on condition 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 Dzimbanhete told the court that on 30 July, 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.
Bongani Ndlovu