Pushcart operator posing as teacher exposed at maintenance court

A woman got a rude awakening when her ex-husband, who she believed was a teacher, confessed at the maintenance court that he was a pushcart operator.

Thembelani Ncube revealed that Samkeliso Moyo, who lives in the rural areas, was under the impression that he was a teacher. He told the court that if he had told his wife the truth, he might not have won her love.

Moyo had applied for $120 for the upkeep of the couple's two minor children in October this year. She told the court that her ex-husband was a primary school teacher and earned $450 every month.

The court heard Ncube was in $120 arrears as he had not made any payments. She pleaded with the magistrate not to change the order because her sons are asthmatic and need medical care. Ncube appeared before magistrate Batanai Tuwe seeking a downward variation of the claim.

"I cannot afford to pay $120. I'm a pushcart operator and I can't afford that money. I make almost $100 every month but business is low these days," he said. Magistrate Tuwe granted Ncube a variation downward for maintenance from $120 to $60.