Man convicted of violating the Maintenance Act

Paidamoyo Bore

A 40-YEAR-OLD man has been hauled to court for defaulting on maintenance payments.

Shepherd Bondera was convicted on his own plea of guilty when he appeared before Harare magistrate, Noticia Shenje, charged with violating the Maintenance Act.

He had accrued $270 000 in arrears.

He was ordered to deposit $270 000 for his wife through the Clerk of Court or face 12 months imprisonment.

On July 25, the Bindura Magistrates’ Court ordered Bondera to pay $90 000 every month for the upkeep of his kid. with effect from July 31.

He, however, never paid a cent for three months and was arrested.

Bondera claimed he did not intentionally default, but wasn’t able to pay because his salary is not even half of the maintenance amount.

“I only earn $40 000 per month and I cannot afford the required amount.

“Your Worship, I have other kids to look after and the required money is too much for me,” he said.

However, the magistrate advised him to apply for downward variation instead of defaulting.

Bondera told the court that he had made efforts to get a downward variation, but was told that a judgment had already been passed.

Shambadzeni Fungura appeared for the State.