A businessman from Cape Town has been ordered by the Western Cape High Court to fulfill his child maintenance obligations for his three children or face 30 days in prison. This ruling follows his failure to adhere to a previous court order requiring him to provide adequate financial support.
The legal issues began after the businessman moved out of the shared home with the mother of his children in April 2022. In November 2022, the court mandated that he pay R60,000 monthly for maintenance, in addition to covering the children’s medical aid, educational expenses, and the costs associated with their former family home.
Despite these requirements, he reportedly reduced his payments to R22,500 and neglected other responsibilities, prompting his former partner to seek legal intervention. She claimed that his failure to pay rent placed her and the children at risk of eviction and that neglecting aftercare fees had led to their children losing access to essential support services.
The mother emphasized that the father, a businessman in the mining sector, had previously provided substantial financial support but had significantly reduced his contributions after their separation. In response, the father cited a decline in his business interests, claiming that this made it impossible for him to meet his obligations. He attempted to file for a variation of the maintenance order in April 2024.
Judge Rehana Khan Parker, who presided over the case, noted that the father had consistently expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s order since its issuance and had not timely sought a variation based on credible financial changes. The judge concluded that his claims of financial hardship were unsubstantiated, given his previous lifestyle.
Ultimately, Judge Parker mandated that he comply with the original order or face imprisonment, specifying that he would serve his sentence on weekends. Additionally, the court ordered him to cover the costs associated with the application.
ALSO READ : Watch :A Man Who Died Six Times Rises Again on His Burial Day
