Rusape man jailed over maintenance arrears

FORMER Zanu PF provincial youth member Tawanda Tswatswa was last week jailed for 10 months over maintenance arrears of $7 525.

Tswatswa, who was last year unceremoniously fired from his post as the Zanu PF co-ordinator for Makoni District over G40 links, has Rusape provincial magistrate Mr Shane Kubonera to thank for sparing him jail by wholly suspending the sentence on condition that he pays the $7 525 for the upkeep of his child.

Tswatswa, who was a self actor, did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty to violating Section 23 of the Maintenance Act Chapter 5.09, which criminalises defaulting paying maintenance as directed by the court.

He offered to clear the arrears by paying $120 per month.

Prosecutor Ms Event Dhliwayo said Tswatswa has been evading paying $175 monthly maintenance to his wife Plaxedes Mazikana since March 31, 2013.

He had accrued arrears of $7 525 as at September 30, 2017.

“Tawanda Tswatswa resides at Zanu PF Rusape office where he is employed a co-ordinator. The complainant is Plaxedes Mazikana, a female adult aged 34 years, residing at Tswatswa village, St Bedes, Dewedzo and she is not employed.

“On September 27, 2013 Tawanda Tswatswa was ordered at Rusape magistrate civil court to pay $175 per month to the complainant. The accused person without lawful excuse failed to pay that amount resulting in arrears amounting to $7 525,” said Ms Dhliwayo.