News / National
Man jailed for 4 months over maintenance arrears
20 Apr 2013 at 07:53hrs | Views
An electrician from Chitungwiza was on Wednesday sent to jail for four months after he breached a court order to pay maintenance for his four minor children resulting in arrears accruing to US$370. Isaiah Mukunga (41) of 18 Gava Road in Zengeza 2 Chitungwiza told the court that he was an electrician by profession and was unemployed.
Hence, he pleaded for the court's lenience since he was now working as a security guard at an unnamed night club.
"Your Worship, if you may exercise lenience on me because I am unemployed. I have just secured a temporary job as a security guard at a local night club and I promise to pay the money soon," he said.
However, this did not please Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo who sentenced him to four months in prison.
Mukunga had pleaded guilty to contravening the Maintenance Act.
Prosecutor Ms Ntombikayise Nleya told the court that on December 14 last year Mukunga was ordered by the Chitungwiza Civil Court to pay monthly maintenance of US$130 towards the upkeep of his four children.
He, however, defied the order leading to arrears amounting to US$370 as of March 31.
Hence, he pleaded for the court's lenience since he was now working as a security guard at an unnamed night club.
"Your Worship, if you may exercise lenience on me because I am unemployed. I have just secured a temporary job as a security guard at a local night club and I promise to pay the money soon," he said.
However, this did not please Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo who sentenced him to four months in prison.
Mukunga had pleaded guilty to contravening the Maintenance Act.
Prosecutor Ms Ntombikayise Nleya told the court that on December 14 last year Mukunga was ordered by the Chitungwiza Civil Court to pay monthly maintenance of US$130 towards the upkeep of his four children.
He, however, defied the order leading to arrears amounting to US$370 as of March 31.
Source - herald
