Businessman jailed for defying court order

A Seke businessman who defied a court order to pay maintenance for the upkeep of his two minor children was jailed for three months. Lovemore Mafoti of Kaseke Village in Seke had his arrears accumulate to US$275.

Mafoti, who is known by the trading name Mr Price Meat at Murisa Business Centre, was on January 21 ordered by Chitungwiza Magistrates' Court to pay US$275 per month for his minor children. Mafoti pleaded guilty to contravening the Maintenance Act when he appeared before Chitungwiza magistrate Mr Lazarus Murendo.

Mr Murendo sentenced him to eight months in prison but conditionally set aside three months of the sentence for the next five years. Another month was suspended on condition he pays US$275 to his wife Tsitsi Chiroodza.

Mr Edmond Ndambakuwa prosecuted.