Lupane University registrar spared jail

By Blessing Masakadza

HARARE – The Registrar of Lupane University has been convicted of defaulting on paying maintenance for his three children resulting in US$12 000 arrears.

Jairos Makunde, 47, was spared jail on condition that he settles the arrears by June 30, failure of which he will serve the alternative suspended six months.

Makunde was convicted of contempt of court by defying a civil court order when he appeared before Harare Magistrate Donald Ndirowei and was ordered to pay US$900 forthwith.

State counsel Tungamirai Chakurira told the court that on March 8 2011, Makunde was ordered by the civil court to pay US$450 maintenance per month for his wife and three children plus school fees.

Makunde argued that his actions were not deliberate saying he was out of employment hence could not pay the maintenance and school fees.

Makunde also said that his wife Rachael was still staying at one of his houses in Chitungwiza where she was receiving US$200 every month from tenants saying she should consider the rentals as part of his monthly maintenance.

He told the court that he has since applied for a loan and would clear the arrears in six months. The court heard that Makunde only paid for the maintenance for four months.

Rachael told the court that she was still legally married to Makunde hence the Chitungwiza house constituted matrimonial property; therefore, it was not his sole property. Makunde defaulted paying US$12 000 for maintenance and school fees, US$9 900 in maintenance and US$2610 in school fees.

Makunde failed to pay the money from July 31 2011 to March this year.