HARARE - Golden Chekenyere, ex-National Foods Limited human resources director, has been dragged to court by his estranged wife for failing to pay maintenance since January 2009.
The maintenance arrears had accumulated to $6 260 by February this year.
Chekenyere was found guilty on his own plea of guilt when he appeared before Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei.
Magistrate Ndirowei ordered Chekenyere to clear the arrears by April 12 this year or face six months imprisonment.
Chekenyere had offered to dispose of his BMW vehicle valued at $6 000 or give the car to his wife to cover the arrears.
“Accused is willing to clear the arrears that have accrued, that he either disposes of his vehicle — a BMW series or should the complainant be willing to take the vehicle, accused is willing to surrender it to her,” said his lawyer.
“Alternatively he can immediately deposit $500, should the offer not be acceptable to the complainant, and the balance can be cleared through $200 installments.”
The lawyer said Chekenyere was failing to pay child support because his current wife was terminally ill, hospitalised and he has a 79-year-old father whom he takes care of.
Prosecutor Fransisca Mukumbiri argued that “accused has a moral and legal duty to take care of his child and should not be dragged to court to be reminded of such.”
“It is clear that he is a man of means, who is taking care of his current wife, child and extended family but has decided to neglect the needs of his other child.
“Accused person should be given a very short period to clear his arrears,” Mukumbiri said.
On December 18, 2009, Chekenyere was ordered by the High Court to pay for the upkeep of his minor child with effect from January 1, 2010.
Chekenyere failed to comply with the order from January 2010 to February this year.