A 44-year-old Harare man employed by MultiChoice has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for failing to meet his child maintenance obligations, but he can avoid imprisonment if he complies with the court’s conditions.
Brightwell Manyerenyere was convicted of maintenance default when he appeared before a Harare magistrate on Monday.
The court suspended the prison sentence on condition that he maintains good behaviour and clears US$22,820 in outstanding maintenance arrears by the end of November 2026.
Prosecutor Essel Zinhiva told the court that the High Court issued an order on December 14, 2023, directing Manyerenyere to contribute towards the upkeep of his two minor children.
Under the order, he was required to pay 50 percent of their school fees and related expenses, as well as 60 percent of their grocery and clothing costs.
He was also expected to pay US$120 per child and provide 30 litres of petrol monthly for the two children.
However, the court heard that Manyerenyere failed to honour the requirements between February 2024 and September 2026, resulting in arrears totalling US$22,820.
His failure to pay the children’s school fees for the third term of 2026 further increased the amount owed to his former wife, Sharon Vongayi Gapare, 38.
The court ordered Manyerenyere to settle the outstanding amount by November 30, 2026, warning that failure to meet the conditions could result in him serving his prison sentence.
