Bank chief feeds family on cabbages

By Thandeka Moyo

BULAWAYO – Despite earning about $3,000 per month, a manager at one of Bulawayo’s commercial banks, only provides a head of cabbage and a bag of mealie-meal monthly for his family, the court heard yesterday.

Thabani Siwela, a manager at the big bank, appeared before magistrate Victor Mpofu on charges of failing to provide for his family. His wife, Bekezela, told the court that Siwela would bring chicken once in a while and that she could no longer accept such behaviour.

“My husband is a bank manager and only buys us a bag of mealie-meal and one head of cabbage,” she said adding, “Your honour, he only brings chicken when he desires. I can no longer be subjected to such treatment.”

“He is irresponsible and I am surviving on rentals that I collect from our property in Gwabalanda. We also have property in Harare, about two acres of land but he refuses to involve me in matters pertaining to the piece of land,” she charged.

Bekezela was claiming $1,000 maintenance for her welfare and had drafted a two-page list of monthly expenses including entertainment, salon and shoes.

In his response, Siwela dismissed his wife’s arguments saying he did everything for his family.

“Your worship, I buy whatever is needed at home and have never short supplied her. I am offering to pay her $400 monthly on top of the $200 she gets from rentals. I will maintain the two cars we have and pay fees for our son who recently completed his O-Levels,” he said.

Magistrate Mpofu ordered Siwela to pay a $500 monthly for the welfare of his wife with effect from end of this month. The Chronicle