Tout in $1,200 maintenance arrears

A 26-year-old tout from Gweru was dragged to court after he failed to pay maintenance for his minor child for two years which resulted in his maintenance arrears ballooning to $1 200.

Terrence Hukuimwe of Mkoba 14 was dragged to court by his baby mama Tariro Chiorese (20).  He appeared before Gweru magistrate Musaiwona Shotgame for defaulting on maintenance.

Hukuimwe was ordered in September 2015 to pay a monthly total of $60 towards the maintenance of his child.

He failed to comply with the court order as he only paid in September and in October he never paid anything until Choirese took him to court.

In his defence, Hukuimwe told the court that he did not pay the monthly amount because he was jobless and had no means of raising the money.

"Your worship, l cannot afford that amount because l am currently unemployed and l do not have any means of raising the money," said Hukuimwe.

Magistrate Shotgame castigated Hukuimwe for failing to pay a cent towards the upkeep of his minor child. He also labelled him a liar as he told the court that he was unemployed yet he worked as a tout for Muchemwa Transport.

"You are an irresponsible man who fails to care of his child. On top of that you lied to the honourable court that  you are not working yet you are a conductor for Muchemwa Transport," said Shotgame.

Shotgame sentenced Hukuimwe to four months in prison which were wholly suspended on condition that he clears the arrears within two months.

Gracious Rongai prosecuted.