Cape moms receive thousands in papgeld

Cape Town-150617-Government has committed to address maintenence defaulters and have provided a forum for complainants to address their issues and questions with various roll players who are able to assist single mothers. In pic emotional Ntombinibe Mukhoba tells her story-Reporter-Gadeeja Abbas-Photographer-Tracey Adams

Cape Town-150617-Government has committed to address maintenence defaulters and have provided a forum for complainants to address their issues and questions with various roll players who are able to assist single mothers. In pic emotional Ntombinibe Mukhoba tells her story-Reporter-Gadeeja Abbas-Photographer-Tracey Adams

Published Jun 18, 2015

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Cape Town - A Khayelitsha mother, who received R50 000 in child maintenance, became overwhelmed with emotion as she spoke of the painful journey she had travelled with the Western Cape Department of Justice to bring her runaway husband to book.

Ntombinibe Makhoba, 40, said it was difficult enough raising two young boys in a crime-infested environment, coupled with bad socio-economic issues, but when her husband of 11 years left to live with his girlfriend, it was the last straw.

“He left on October 9, 2014 but, even when he was staying with us, he did not take care of his kids. I raised those boys. It was hurtful to see him with his new girlfriend after I had sacrificed so much,” she said at an imbizo hosted by the department at Oval North High School in Mitchells Plain on Wednesday.

Makhoba was one of many beneficiaries who collectively received more than R600 000 after the department attached the pensions, UIF and assets of maintenance defaulters to compensate for unpaid maintenance.

She was forced to live off her mother’s disability grant. She said her husband made a lot of broken promises.

“He moved into the site (home), that was meant for my family, with his new girlfriend. At the time the house I was living in was not serviced. I told the court I needed that site (home) for my family,” she explained.

But she said the money she received from the department had restored some of her lost dignity.

“If I could advise mothers in a similar situation, I would say go to court, they will assist you,” she said.

The money will help Makhoba put her boys in an initiation school that will “help them become men”, she indicated.

Another maintenance recipient, who asked to remain anonymous, said the R180 000 she received would go towards her daughter’s future.

The 28-year-old mother from Grassy Park described her situation as “very difficult”. Her former boyfriend was addicted to heroin and had no interest in taking care of his daughter.

“I was raising a girl, he had to leave. It was a very difficult time for me but I didn’t want to give up hope,” she said.

The department on Wednesday announced that it was tightening its grip on the 900 maintenance defaulters who owe more than R5 million in unpaid child maintenance as part of Operation Isondlo.

The Justice Department’s regional head, Advocate Hishaam Mohamed, said the operation’s focus was on helping the children who were suffering as a result of unpaid child maintenance.

“No amount of law or regulation will succeed unless there is parental care.”

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Cape Argus

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