Magistrate dresses down teacher

By Thandeka Moyo

BULAWAYO – A polygamous teacher from Tsholotsho yesterday courted the ire of Bulawayo magistrate Victor Mpofu when he sauntered into court wearing sandals with a toothpick hanging from his mouth.

Mpofu was not amused with Collen Gumede’s conduct and reprimanded him, saying he should dress properly and respect the court of law. Gumede was lucky to escape without being charged with contempt of court after Mpofu said he was content with just giving him a stern warning before hearing his case.

“I believe you are a teacher and can you imagine how you would feel if you were a magistrate if I walked into the court with a toothpick hanging from my mouth. Why do you disrespect this court of law? Such behaviour is not accepted from someone like you and you are lucky that you go unpunished,” charged the magistrate.

Gumede was dragged to the Maintenance Court by Everight Hlongwane, his late girlfriend’s mother who claimed he was an irresponsible father to his son who was left in her custody.

In response, Gumede apologised for his unbecoming behaviour saying it was his habit before he pleaded with the court to decline Hlongwane’s claim.

“Your Worship I am employed as a teacher and earn peanuts and I cannot afford to give this woman $95 per month. I was in this same court recently when another woman was claiming $100 maintenance for my other child.

“I have been taking care of this child ever since his mother passed on and I am prepared to take custody of the child. If I give Hlongwane the money, no one will take care of my third child,” he said.

Mpofu, however, ordered Gumede to pay $85 monthly for the upkeep of his child starting from December.

This did not go down well with Gumede who was quick to say he was not sure if he was getting his bonus leaving the court in stitches.

“Your Worship I am not assured of getting my bonus this year or that we will be given increments next year. Please reduce this amount for me as I will be left with nothing after paying maintenance for these two children,” he said.

Mpofu ordered Gumede to pay $85 monthly and apply for a variation if he did not receive his bonus. The Chronicle