A woman in the middle of a divorce has told the North West High Court (Mahikeng) that she spends over R110 000 every month to sustain herself and her four children and needs her husband to pay over R68 000 for the children’s maintenance.

The Star reports the woman filed a Rule 43 application in the court, seeking interim maintenance pending their divorce.

In her application, she stated that her husband pays almost R34 000 for her and the children’s maintenance, which she claims is insufficient as it does not cover all their needs.

She provided the court with a financial disclosure form showing her and her children’s monthly expenses exceed R110 400, with the children’s expenses amounting to over R69 000.

She argued that her husband should pay at least R68 430 towards the maintenance of the children and herself.

The husband accused his wife of exaggerating her expenses and failing to provide documentary proof. He stated his own earnings as R64 000.

Judge Sandiswa Mfenyana noted that the husband sought a ruling against his wife but failed to provide proof of his income.

Mfenyana concluded that the husband may have had the capacity to provide a luxurious lifestyle for his family in the past, but this could not be achieved on a salary of R64 000.

After considering the financial capacity of both parties, the judge ordered the husband to contribute at least R45 510 monthly towards the maintenance of his children and wife, excluding school fees, which he must pay directly to the school.

He was also ordered to pay R100 000 towards the wife’s legal costs.

Full report in The Star

Judgment