MEC in papgeld hot water

LIMPOPO Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Charles Seaparo Sekoati has been accused by his baby mama of being a dead-beat dad.

The baby mama, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, alleged Sekoati, earning at least R2-million a year, was about six months in maintenance arrears.

This was after the politician had failed to keep up with a court order to pay R1 500 in per month for the couple s 19-year-old daughter.

According to the mother, their daughter, a student at a Polokwane maths and science college, was allegedly prohibited from attending classes for the past two weeks because she had defaulted on her tuition fees.

She claimed she had complained to maintenance court officials at the Polokwane Magistrate s Court, but they turned a blind on the matter.

The baby mama expressed worry at their daughter falling prey to blessers prowling the city in order to make ends meet.

Speaking about their history, the woman said she met Sekoati in 1993 in Seshego, and fell head over heels for him after being promised heaven on earth.

This was allegedly shortly followed by her falling preggies.

I was so young and naive at the time, and nothing else mattered,” she said.

Choking in tears, the baby mama said her relationship with Sekoati then tanked.

I dumped him after discovering that he was seeing another woman whom he later married,” she said. I just didn t want to be his second best or

Following their disagreement over child maintenance, she said they went to court.

There, he was ordered to pay R1 500 per month.

He skips payments from time to time, and when I phone him, he ignores my calls,” she said.

Sekoati, touted as a possible replacement for provincial chairman Stan Mathabatha, poured cold water on being a dodger.

I ve always been paying maintenance for my daughter,” Sekoati said.

I have been paying in bulk and not R1 500 per month as required by the court.”

Sekoati, an ANC Mopani regional chairman, said he was not aware that his daughter was denied access to school.

I m not aware of that, but I told her mother that we should remove her from that college because she struggles with maths and science,” Sekoati said.

But she refused. I even helped my daughter fill up application forms to enroll at universities, but she couldn t make the cut because of her marks.”

Sekoati also poured scorn on the baby mama s allegations that she dumped him because he was cheating on her.

She said she dumped me?” Sekoati retorted in disbelief. That woman tricked me into impregnating her.”

The revered politician said the woman told him she was barren, convincing him to disregard using a condom.

After falling pregnant, she disappeared. I only learnt through people that she was pregnant with my child,” he said.

I accepted, and started maintaining the child. In fact, I m the one who went to court and applied for an order to pay support for the child.”

Sekoati dismissed ignoring or avoiding his daughter. He said he introduced her to his family and relatives, and had regularly visited her. My wife and relatives know her. My daughter and I speak regularly,”

he said.