THOHOYANDOU – Wits University's lethal striker, Aifheli Coxwell "Magic" Ratshivhadelo, appeared in the Thohoyandou Maintenance Court on Monday, after his wife, Tshililo Nancy Tshiswaise raised concern that the maintenance fee that she collects monthly is not enough and that Ratshivhadelo should pay her R800 per month.

Ratshivhadelo was supposed to have appeared in the Maintenance Court on November 6 and when the magistrate asked him why he had failed to appear on the due date, Ratshivhadelo said he had never received or seen a subpoena, but just saw the story in the newspaper.

When asked why he was not maintaining his child, he said he was still waiting for the parents of the Nancy Tshiswaise to come to his home and report the pregnancy and the birth of the child (Mudinda Ratshivhadelo).

He said that in the customary laws of the Venda tribe, the parents of the pregnant women have to report to the parents of the man when a woman is pregnant.

He added that he cares for the child, but his plea is to pay R300 per month for her. An interim order was issued that Ratshivhadelo should pay R300 as from December 8, 2003, until February 16, 2004, as the day when the final order will be settled.

Ratshivhadelo also said that he is looking after four children at home who are at schools and one is attending a crèche.

A warrant of arrest against him was cancelled, but the magistrate ordered him to bring his salary advice and a bank statement. Mrs Tshililo Tshiswaise did not appear in court and the case was postponed to February 16, 2004.