News / National
Teenage dad in child upkeep wrangle
13 Nov 2015 at 05:15hrs | Views
A teenage father risks a two-month prison term if he fails to pay maintenance for his minor child, the Civil Court heard yesterday.
Stewart Mpalume (19) was sternly warned by Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe that failure to pay his arrears of $250 by November 30 would result in his incarceration.
"You are the one who rushed into having a child so you should take responsibility for your actions," he said.
Mpalume told the court that he was an Ordinary Level student who was not capable of taking care of the child he sired with his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend.
The court heard that Mpalume was ordered to pay $50 per month for the upkeep of his minor child with Rumbidzai Mashingaidze with effect from June 30 this year.
However, from June to October Mpalume failed to pay the money and as a result his arrears rose to $250.
He was arrested after Mashingaidze reported the matter to the police.
Stewart Mpalume (19) was sternly warned by Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe that failure to pay his arrears of $250 by November 30 would result in his incarceration.
"You are the one who rushed into having a child so you should take responsibility for your actions," he said.
The court heard that Mpalume was ordered to pay $50 per month for the upkeep of his minor child with Rumbidzai Mashingaidze with effect from June 30 this year.
However, from June to October Mpalume failed to pay the money and as a result his arrears rose to $250.
He was arrested after Mashingaidze reported the matter to the police.
Source - the herald
