Danisa Masuku
FORGET the roar of the crowd and the thrill of a goal, Vivian Ngwenya, who proudly calls herself “Bosso Babe” for being a die-hard Highlanders Football Club fan, traded the stadium for the courtroom.
The die-hard Bosso fan found herself facing a different kind of match: a legal battle against her baby daddy, Mehluli Ncube, for failing to fulfil his child support obligations for three months following their separation.
Ngwenya told the court that in June last year, she had applied for maintenance for the child she shares with Ncube and was granted an order. Ncube was ordered to pay US$90 per month.
She told the court that her baby daddy had made payments from June to September last year. She stated that he currently owes her US$270.
Ngwenya said she had tried to arrange a meeting to discuss the issue of his non-payment but Ncube had been unco-operative.
Ncube admitted that he was three months behind on payments and apologised to the court. He then requested permission to pay US$180 “immediately”.
The presiding magistrate, Challenge Mahembe, allowed him to go and withdraw the money from the bank in the company of Ngwenya.
After returning from withdrawing the money, a smiling Ngwenya confirmed receipt of US$180. The court case then resumed, and she stated: “He has given me US$180. There’s an outstanding balance of US$90.”
Ncube requested that the court order his bank to garnish the remaining amount from his salary. The magistrate granted his request.
The final order required Ncube to continue paying US$90 per month until the child reaches 18 years old.
This included the remaining US$90 and any future payments. The court also authorised garnishing the funds directly from his bank account.