adminThubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
THOUSANDS of women with maintenance garnishee orders deducted from civil servants’ salaries have failed to access last month’s payments. Dozens of women have registered their displeasure at the Maintenance Courts, saying the Zimbabwe Salaries Service Bureau (SSB) made February deductions from civil servants’ salaries yet no money was deposited into the recipients’ accounts.
But court officials have directed the women to the Finance Ministry, amid indications that the cash-strapped government had also not remitted workers’ unions fees, medical aid and pension contributions for February.
Precious Dube, of Bulawayo’s Nkulumane suburb, said she was granted a $120 maintenance garnishee order last year against her former husband, Gift Gumede, who is a teacher.
“After l was granted the garnishee order, I’ve received monthly maintenance for the upkeep of my child who is doing Form 3 without any problem. The month of February has been a terrible month for me because l couldn’t make ends meet,” said Dube.
“I waited for two weeks thinking there was a problem with the bank system and then I thought Gumede was giving excuses for not paying maintenance. I would call him demanding the money and he would tell me it has already been credited to my account.”
Dube said she had to borrow money from a neighbour to travel to the city centre to get clarification about the delays, but found no joy at court.
She said she failed to buy her daughter a new pair of school shoes, stationery and uniforms this term because she has no money.
Dorothy Ndlovu, of Emakhandeni suburb, said she has failed to pay for her child’s school fees this term because of the government’s failure to deposit her money.
“No-one has explained or apologised to us about the maintenance money for February. I’ve gone to the Post Office and they told me to enquire about the issue at the Maintenance Court. When I got to the court the clerks said they don’t know what the problem is,” said Ndlovu.
“Clearly, it’s not the father of my child’s problem because he has done his part. The pay slip proves that the money was deducted, so where is it?”
Sithokozile Mpala, of Mpopoma suburb, also expressed disappointment saying that she has sleepless nights because debt collectors are at her doorstep daily after she borrowed money last month to pay for her child’s school fees.
“I was left with no choice. l didn’t get child support money for February and only God knows why because I haven’t received an official explanation,” said Mpala.
The Salary Service Bureau Director, only identified as M Chikore, said enquiries about the matter should be channelled through the courts.
“All the parents should go and ask the Maintenance Courts about the issue,” said Chikore.
But Matabeleland North Provincial Magistrate Enias Magate said: “The court only initiates favour of garnishee orders to applicants. The Salary Service Bureau processes the monthly maintenance deductions for civil servants and deposits the money into the Post Office bank for collection.”
A total of 4,152 maintenance cases were handled at the Maintenance Court in Bulawayo in 2014 with civil servants found to be the biggest culprits in failing to take care of their children. That represented a major escalation, with 2,980 cases recorded in 2013 and 1,370 in 2012.
Meanwhile, the Apex Council, the umbrella body representing public sector unions says the government had also failed to remit unions’ fees deducted from civil servants, along with medical aid and pension contributions for February.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association CEO Sifiso Ndlovu said: “The government was only able to raise net salaries, meaning statutory obligations, medical insurances, pensions and union fees are in arrears. This means the economy is indicating its inability to carry the current salary bill.”
Online Reporter