Tarisai Machakaire 8 June 2017
HARARE – Acting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s nephew Tongai yesterday got
away with a four-month wholly suspended prison term on condition that he
settles his $5 120 maintenance arrears.
Tongai Mnangagwa, 39, was dragged to court by his ex-wife Shuvai Murumbi –
a public relations executive – for failing to pay $5 120 maintenance for
their two children.
Mnangagwa pleaded guilty to contravening Section 23 of the Maintenance Act
when he appeared before Harare magistrate Annia Ndiraya.
He was ordered to pay $1 500 immediately and settle the balance by July 7
Prosecutor Devoted Nyagano had asked the court to impose a stiffer penalty
after Mnangagwa had mentioned that he runs an engineering firm.
“The accused person has demonstrated that he is a person of means and the
State is of the view that he wilfully defaulted paying for his children’s
upkeep for such a long period,” Nyagano said.
“He must be induced to pay the arrears and the court must order that
accused person pays $2 500 forthwith and settles the rest on a date
provided by the court.”
Prosecutor Devoted Nyagano said on June 9, 2014, Mnangagwa was ordered by
the Harare Magistrates’ Courts to pay $250 per month to Murumbi in child
The court heard that Mnangagwa made part payments and failed to settle the
maintenance in full from June 2014 to May 2017, resulting in arrears of $5