Cape Town - Just over R1 million in outstanding and future maintenance money has been paid into the Guardian’s Fund for a child – the highest amount of money paid to a beneficiary in the province yet.
Belinda Palmer, a single parent, sought help from the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court last year after the father of her child had failed to pay maintenance for the past four years.
The court granted her nearly R300 000 in arrears and a further R955 000 in future maintenance. They settled the outstanding amount and paid the future funds into the Guardian’s Fund.
“He (the father) has always been present in his daughter’s life, he sees her twice a week. But it hurt sometimes when he would fetch her from school.
“He was supposed to pay half of her school fees but for four years I paid it without his help. I am grateful to those at the Wynberg Court who helped and for Operation Isondlo, which is doing amazing work in helping single parents get maintenance money from the other parent,” Palmer said.
Operation Isondlo was established by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to improve the administration and enforcement of court orders related to child support.
So far, since April last year, it has facilitated the attachment of R2.4 million pensions for maintenance money.
Department provincial head Hishaam Mohamed said:
“We are painfully aware of the challenges facing single mothers… and we encourage frustrated parents not to give up.”
@FrancescaJaneV
Cape Times