Windhoek
The Ministry of Justice has called for public input on the proposed amendments to the Maintenance Act (Act No. 3 of 2003).
In a statement seen by New Era on Friday, Justice Minister Dr Albert Kawana calls on the public to make proposals “that will contribute to the effectiveness of the Act”. Once the proposals are received, there will be a cabinet submission before the amendments are tabled in parliament.
The minister is calling for input from the public on how to deal with fathers who tamper with their DNA tests and those who assist them.
The ministry also wants input on how to deal with fathers that go into hiding to avoid maintenance obligations, and those who dump their children with grandparents and other relatives, while neglecting to support the children with the maintenance they receive from their partners.
It also wants proposals on what should be done to parents who neglect maintaining their children, when they have the means to do so. Adult children who fail to maintain their parents when they have the means to do so, should also be addressed in the Act, Kawana states.
The due date for proposals is March 24.
Last month, Kawana said fathers and mothers who fail to honour maintenance obligations for their children will be named and shamed through the media.
Kawana indicated it is not only fathers but also mothers who fail to support their children.
“We are also going to name and shame mothers. We are not just targeting fathers but also mothers. You know sometimes in our society the father works and the mother does not, and vice versa. The law will not discriminate on the basis of sex. If the mother works and does not support the child, or if the mother receives maintenance and abuses it, we are going to deal with all those people,” he stated.