‘He hasn’t paid since birth’
FOR student Sharon (not her real name), blacklisting fathers who do not pay their maintenance would “force” them to do the right thing.
“At least mothers won’t have to stress about where their babies’ milk is going to come from tomorrow.” The 21-year-old, who has a 1year-old child, claims the father, whom she is not married to, has not paid maintenance since the birth.
She has applied to the maintenance court to seek monetary respite from the father.
“He has given me R600 on two occasions and probably buys him (their child) a pair of shorts, a T-shirt or a small tin of milk now and then. It has been so costly because I see to everything,” she said. “A newborn baby can cost around R2 200 (a month).”
The single mother relies on the support from her siblings and elderly parents, who are both pensioners.
“I recently decided to seek the help of the maintenance court. It seemed that every month I was sending messages to my child’s father telling him about his son’s needs and he would take two weeks to deliver on any item.
“I decided to go to court – in this way he would have to pay me a set amount every month and I wouldn’t have to stress about where my child was going to get food from.”
Sharon described the court officials as very friendly.
“I was asked to fill out a form. The form is very thorough. It asks about the child’s needs such as eating, clothing, daycare and medical expenses.
“I am claiming for R2 200. This amount will be told to the child’s father at the next court appearance and if he contests it then we will have to go before a magistrate. I will need to prove why I need the money.”
Sharon said she hoped the maintenance would help her not only provide the basic essentials for her child, but allow her to buy a car seat and invest in a medical aid.
She said she had met a number of women in her position at court. “A lot of people go through this.” Sharon said despite a paternity test being done, the father was not prepared to pay maintenance, claiming that she had taken the decision to have the baby, so she should pay for everything.