Woman claims court delaying child payments

A MOTHER of two from Ezibeleni has accused the Ezibeleni Magistrate’s Court of failing to pay out her children’s maintenance money on time.

Bukiwe Ngumla said the problem had been dragging on for years.

“This has been going on for some time. When I started receiving maintenance in 1997, all was well. We never had any hassles. Our challenges started when it was decided to deposit the monies into our bank accounts in 1998.”

She has laid several complaints with court officials, but remains unhappy with their responses.

“I even wrote to the Public Protector. They always say they have problems with their computers or that their fax and emails are not working.''

The money is supposed to be paid out on the first of each month.

“Sometimes it is four weeks late. For example, the money I was supposed to get at the beginning of March has only been paid out on April 25.”

Her daughter Onwaba even believes that someone may be keeping back the money and only paying it out when they themselves are paid their salaries.

“We do not understand why it has been going on like this. They always pay out the maintenance money on the same day when they get paid their salaries.''

She said officials at court were rude to people inquiring about the matter.

“I went to ask them about this and the people who work there just chewed gum and did not show any professionalism. They should be taught how to handles people’s problems.''

The situation also impacted on some people who came from as far as Cofimvaba to query the delayed payments and yet had to leave empty-handed, she said.

The administrative head at the court, Nicoleen van Niekerk, declined to comment. A woman who did not want to be named at the Komani Magistrate’s Court, referred all questions to justice department spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga. Mhaga had not responded to queries at the time of going to press.