Accountant ordered to pay $200 after deserting family

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AN accountant at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) has been ordered to pay $200 for the upkeep of his two minor children after deserting his wife to live in an undisclosed location.

AN accountant at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) has been ordered to pay $200 for the upkeep of his two minor children after deserting his wife to live in an undisclosed location. RICHARD MUPONDE SENIOR COURT REPORTER

Passmore Mtongozwa told the court that he works as an accountant at the health institution.

Mtongozwa did not attend court proceedings at the Maintenance Court leading to a default judgment being issued against him.

Magistrate Victor Mpofu asked Mtongozwa’s wife Marian Njobo, who came to court with their children, where her husband was.

“I don’t know where he is. He just left home leaving me with the children,” replied Njobo.

“Where does he work,” Mpofu asked.

“He’s an accountant at UBH, but he did not turn up for court,” Njobo replied.

Mpofu went on to issue a default judgment against Mtongozwa and ordered him to pay $200 per month starting on May 31.

Njobo had claimed $202 for the upkeep of the children against a monthly expenditure of $458.

Her summons read in part: “Whereas a complaint has been made on oath that the said respondent is legally liable to maintain Adrian Mtongozwa (3) and Vanessa Mtongozwa (three months) for total of $202 and that it is alleged that he had failed/neglected to provide reasonable maintenance for the aforesaid person(s).”

“This, therefore, is to require you to summon the said respondent in terms of the Maintenance Act that he appear before the Maintenance Court of Bulawayo at 8am of May 21 2014 with any witness/or documentary evidence to show cause why he should not provide reasonable maintenance for the aforesaid person(s) and he should produce his EC number or payslip and warn the said Passmore Mtongozwa that should he fail to appear the court may proceed to inquire into the complaint and any order that may be made shall be binding on him.”