Penuel Mlotshwa proudly claimed that he is a deadbeat father (doesn't pay papgeld) for his multiple children.
Image: Instagram/godpenuel
Penuel Mlotshwa, a famous podcaster he vented online that he is essentially a deadbeat father.
Mlotshwa posted that he made this decision in order to have access to his children.
He pointed to the three mothers of the children as having forced his hand to make the controversial decision.
"Three months ago, I made a decision to stop sending money for three of my seven children. And to stop all legal processes to try see them. I became a 'deadbeat'," Mlotshwa posted online.
He added that he promised himself that he would only contribute to their livelihoods and school fees if he could get them to visit him in Johannesburg, Gauteng and spend time with them like other 'normal' parents.
The famous podcaster claimed that he has struggled to access one of his children who lives in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal for 11 years.
He went on to claim that this is equally true for his other two children, who live in Durban.
"I realised that I have been an enabler of toxic behaviour over the years and that endless court cases and three parenting plans haven't helped me to have my rights to be a father enforced.
"Until the mothers put the children first and allow me to spend quality time with my kids in Jozi, I'll stick to this decision."
He expressed optimism that things would change soon, that the mothers will 'change their minds', and that he will be able to take care of the youngsters, like the other four for which he has 'access' to and is paying maintenance for.
"I'm grateful to those mothers for having a civil and healthy co-parenting relationship with me. And allowing me to be a father.
"Good fathers need to be able to speak out about injustices where it pertains to their kids, without being persecuted, due to toxic fathers out there. My story is here to inspire other fathers to also speak out against parental alienation."
According to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, it is compulsory for parents to pay child maintenance. If one of the parents fails or chooses not to, there may be legal ramifications.
"If the respondent fails to pay within the specified times, you should report the matter to the Maintenance Offices. One of the options the court could follow with is:
"Criminal prosecution. A warrant of arrest can be issued as the respondent failed to comply with an order of court."
In November, in an interview with eNCA, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Thembi Simelane said taking care of one's children is a Constitutional mandate.
"Children are vulnerable and both parents carry a responsibility of taking care and raising their children. In our view, the raising is beyond access to money, we have to try and fix the system in its entirety," Simelane said.
IOL