Victor Mukwevho Ne-vumbani
The Operation Take Responsibility campaign has helped thousands of stranded women in Gauteng and the country at large.
This is according to Tembisa-based Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) Patricia Mokgohlwa.
She started the operation years ago after realising that a lot of children were starving because their fathers refused to pay money for maintenance.
“In fact, the main objective of the campaign is to trace maintenance defaulters and force them to take responsibility for their children. I started the campaign focusing only on Gauteng, but now we receive calls from all over the country. We have also been working hand-in-hand with national radio stations,” she said.
MPL Mokgohlwa pointed out that last year, she helped nab a member of the Hawks who was dodging his maintenance payments.
“He tweeted that he was going to buy a new car. His former wife saw it and contacted me. Together with Radio 702, we managed to trace the man and spoke to him on-air. I am happy to say he is maintaining his children,” she said.
MPL Mokgohlwa said many men claim they cannot pay because they are not allowed to see their children. She added that sometimes you find married couples living under the same roof, but with men refusing to maintain the children.
“We are calling on all maintenance defaulters to contact the relevant authorities and to start paying for maintenance. Operation Take Responsibility is alive and kicking and you will never hide from us,” said MPL Mokgohlwa.
