News / National
Maintenance lands policeman in court
06 Feb 2013 at 05:08hrs | Views
A POLICEMAN appeared at the Chitungwiza Civil Courts after he breached a court order to pay maintenance for the upkeep of his minor child.
Prosper Chikwere, who is based at Mabvuku Police Station, was last year ordered to contribute US$80 maintenance and US$60 for clothes and school uniform for his minor child.
He breached the order resulting in arrears accruing to US$300.
This prompted his erstwhile wife, Moleen Matimba, to approach the courts for recourse and a warrant for his arrest was issued in November last year.
Yesterday, Matimba applied for a garnishing order since saying her ex-husband failed to pay maintenance since last year.
"He threatened to quit his job after I approached him on several occasions asking for the money," she said.
Presiding magistrate Mr Adonia Masawi asked Matimba why her husband was not arrested.
She said: "I reported the matter at Mabvuku Police Station to the officer in charge, but he advised us to solve our differences amicably.
"Thereafter the officer-in-charge never said anything or arrested Chikwere."
Mr Masawi said the behaviour of the officer-in-charge should not be condoned.
"How could he treat him with soft gloves like that? Is it because that they are both police officers?"
Chikwere asked the court to be lenient with him so that he could pay the arrears in instalments.
"Your Worship, I am not disputing the payment, but all I am asking for is to have the arrears spread since l have a loan to settle.
"I am left with US$234 after the deductions are made and this means if I take out the US$80 she is demanding I will be left with virtually nothing," he said.
Mr Masawi granted the application by Matimba taking into consideration that Chikwere was unwilling to pay the maintenance fee.
"The garnish order is hereby granted and the respondent is ordered to pay US$95 as maintenance for the clearance of US$300 paid at the rate of US$25 per month.
"In addition, he shall be paying US$80 maintenance," ruled Mr Masawi.
Prosper Chikwere, who is based at Mabvuku Police Station, was last year ordered to contribute US$80 maintenance and US$60 for clothes and school uniform for his minor child.
He breached the order resulting in arrears accruing to US$300.
This prompted his erstwhile wife, Moleen Matimba, to approach the courts for recourse and a warrant for his arrest was issued in November last year.
Yesterday, Matimba applied for a garnishing order since saying her ex-husband failed to pay maintenance since last year.
"He threatened to quit his job after I approached him on several occasions asking for the money," she said.
Presiding magistrate Mr Adonia Masawi asked Matimba why her husband was not arrested.
She said: "I reported the matter at Mabvuku Police Station to the officer in charge, but he advised us to solve our differences amicably.
"Thereafter the officer-in-charge never said anything or arrested Chikwere."
Mr Masawi said the behaviour of the officer-in-charge should not be condoned.
"How could he treat him with soft gloves like that? Is it because that they are both police officers?"
Chikwere asked the court to be lenient with him so that he could pay the arrears in instalments.
"Your Worship, I am not disputing the payment, but all I am asking for is to have the arrears spread since l have a loan to settle.
"I am left with US$234 after the deductions are made and this means if I take out the US$80 she is demanding I will be left with virtually nothing," he said.
Mr Masawi granted the application by Matimba taking into consideration that Chikwere was unwilling to pay the maintenance fee.
"The garnish order is hereby granted and the respondent is ordered to pay US$95 as maintenance for the clearance of US$300 paid at the rate of US$25 per month.
"In addition, he shall be paying US$80 maintenance," ruled Mr Masawi.
Source - TH
