Former African National Congress chief whip Mbulelo Goniwe could face jail for failing to appear in court for a maintenance hearing, City Press reported on Sunday.
Goniwe failed to appear in the Cradock Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday. A warrant of arrest was issued.
Justice Ministry spokesperson Lazarus Mothupi said neither Goniwe nor his lawyer had informed the court of his absence.
But the warrant of arrest had still not been served by Friday as Goniwe was not home when the sheriff of the court arrived at his home.
Goniwe is in a court battle with Nombulelo Chalie, the mother of his two children.
Goniwe was sued for failing to pay R3 000 per child. He offered to pay R600 per child — an increase of R400 from what he used to pay. The case was postponed to November 1.
Goniwe lost his job as chief whip, his seat in the National Assembly, and his membership of the African National Congress in December last year after a disciplinary committee chaired by Kader Asmal found him guilty of sexual harassment, abuse of power and bringing the party into disrepute. – Sapa