Child maintenance cases swarm Mzuzu Court

Mzuzu Child Justice Court has recorded 129 child maintenance cases in four months, a development the court says is pathetic as many parents especially men are abandoning their children.

Child Magistrate Chikumbutso Kachipande said divorce and separation are major contributing factors to the sufferings of many children in the country.

“Many marriages are breaking up on daily basis due to unfaithfulness of partners resulting to abandonment of children.

“It is pathetic that these cases are very high in Mzuzu. Just imagine in the period of four months, from April to July, we have already registered 129 cases. What about those not yet reported?” she said.

Kachipande said although the number has decreased from 159 cases recorded last year during the same period, there is need for partners to be serious with their marriages.

She said many parents, especially men, abandon their children once they find another woman and this affects children in many ways.

“Parents should be responsible and take care of their children whether they are on separation, divorced or in marriage.

“Whatever happens between a husband and wife should not affect the welfare of children,” she said.

District Social Welfare Officer responsible for Mzimba north Edward Chisanga said his officers will soon follow up on the cases saying many people default giving support to their children as ordered by the courts.

“It’s an offence to dump, neglect or fail to support your own children. Whoever will be found doing that, the law will take its course,” Chisanga said