News / National
Chief dragged to court over maintenance
28 Feb 2014 at 05:41hrs | Views
CHIEF Deli, Asher Mabhena reportedly attempted to avoid paying maintenance for his four children saying his wife was no longer wearing her wedding ring.
Chief Deli had been dragged to court by his wife Thokozile Mabhena who was demanding $238 per month for the upkeep of their children, Chronicle reported.
Mabhena told Bulawayo magistrate Takundwa Mthethwa that her husband was irresponsible and had not provided for his children in eight months.
"My husband is the chief in Nyamandlovu but he has been failing to take care of the family. I need $238 from him for the upkeep of our children, the youngest being four months old.
"I have since taken one of the children to my parents because he had stopped going to school," said Mabhena.
In response Chief Deli refused to pay and said his wife was no longer staying with him.
"Your Worship it has been long since I last saw this woman. I was surprised when she appeared in court today. I cannot pay her maintenance because I am the one taking care of the children in her absence. At one point she dumped our youngest child when he was only two months old and I had to seek assistance from the police to nurse him. I have three other children sired with my former wife and they need my financial support.
"Take a good look at our hands Your Worship, you will discover that she is not even putting on her wedding ring thus I cannot say that she lives with me," said Chief Mabhena showing his hands to the gallery.
In response, Mabhena said, "I am staying with him as husband and wife and I have been struggling with the children. He has two other children that we are staying with at our homestead in Nyamandlovu."
Despite his protests, the magistrate ordered Chief Deli to pay $225 monthly for the maintenance of his wife and four minor children with effect from the end of March, 2014 until she remarried or until the children reached the age of 18.
Chief Deli had been dragged to court by his wife Thokozile Mabhena who was demanding $238 per month for the upkeep of their children, Chronicle reported.
Mabhena told Bulawayo magistrate Takundwa Mthethwa that her husband was irresponsible and had not provided for his children in eight months.
"My husband is the chief in Nyamandlovu but he has been failing to take care of the family. I need $238 from him for the upkeep of our children, the youngest being four months old.
"I have since taken one of the children to my parents because he had stopped going to school," said Mabhena.
"Your Worship it has been long since I last saw this woman. I was surprised when she appeared in court today. I cannot pay her maintenance because I am the one taking care of the children in her absence. At one point she dumped our youngest child when he was only two months old and I had to seek assistance from the police to nurse him. I have three other children sired with my former wife and they need my financial support.
"Take a good look at our hands Your Worship, you will discover that she is not even putting on her wedding ring thus I cannot say that she lives with me," said Chief Mabhena showing his hands to the gallery.
In response, Mabhena said, "I am staying with him as husband and wife and I have been struggling with the children. He has two other children that we are staying with at our homestead in Nyamandlovu."
Despite his protests, the magistrate ordered Chief Deli to pay $225 monthly for the maintenance of his wife and four minor children with effect from the end of March, 2014 until she remarried or until the children reached the age of 18.
Source - Chronicle
