Maintenance defaulters will no longer be able to acquire credit, until they meet their financial obligations to their children.
This, after Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane signed a memorandum of understanding, the Maintenance Online Listing of Defaulters.It was signed with the Social Justice Foundation and Consumer Profile Bureau.
It will ensure that the details of defaulting individuals are handed over to the credit bureau and other credit providers. Signing the MOU, gives effect to the implementation of the provisions of the Maintenance Act of 1998, as amended. The department’s spokesperson Tsekiso Machike says this is a groundbreaking move.
“It is groundbreaking because [it] will ensure the implementation of section 26.2A, of Maintenance Act, through maintenance online listing of defaulters. [It is] groundbreaking because [it] will assist the department and its partners to develop system where people who are defaulting on maintenance orders will be placed on credit bureau,” adds Machike.
The chairperson of Parliament’s Select Committee on Justice and Security, Jane Mananiso has congratulated the department on the signing of the MOU, saying it brings security to children.“It brought some excitement to women, but people forgot to say it goes both ways, it is not only men who (fail to) maintain. We encourage all parties, I hope we have credible men here, who pay maintenance [and] that we won’t be dealing with maintenance issues from our members,” adds Mananiso.
Story credit: SABC News
