There is a Legal Responsibility on the Maintenance Magistrate and Maintenance Officer to actively participate and ensure that all relevant information is before the Court in a Maintenance Enquiry.
On 16 May 2019, Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf flew up from Cape Town to Port Elisabeth to argue a Child Maintenance Appeal. The Appeal was before the Full Bench of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court of South Africa, held in Grahamstown. It is the case of N v M (CA127/2018) [2019] ZAECGHC 73. The Judges were Acting Justice S Rugumanan and Justice I.T. Stretch. Advocate Abduroaf was instructed by Nicole Lawrence, Attorneys of Cape Town. The appeal was argued on 17 May 2019.
The Court increased the maintenance from R 1000 00 per month to R 5000 00 with costs. A 500 percent increase. The case showcases the responsibilities of the Maintenance Magistrate and Maintenance Officer to play an active role in a maintenance enquiry.
Factual Background of the Case
This was an appeal in relation to a child maintenance award made by a magistrate in a maintenance enquiry in the Port Elizabeth Maintenance Court. The maintenance enquiry was concluded on 14 November 2017.
On 22 December 2017, the magistrate delivered his written judgment. Therein, he made an order that the Respondent (the father) should pay child maintenance in the sum of R1 000.00 per month.
The mother was not happy with the award and appealed it. Advocate Abduroaf accordingly argued the matter before the Full Bench. Judgment was delivered on 06 August 2019.
Herewith is an extract of the Judgment where the Appeal court quoted Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf:
At the end the Appeal court made the ruling in favour of the mother. As follows:
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ABOUT ADVOCATE MUHAMMAD ABDUROAF
Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is a hardworking and distinguished legal professional and a respected figure in the field of law in South Africa. Known for his unwavering commitment to justice and his ability to navigate complex legal challenges, Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf has built a career spanning over two decades, marked by excellence and a profound dedication to serving his clients and the broader community.
Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf’s journey into law began with a robust academic foundation. He pursued his legal studies with a vision to impact the justice system positively. His areas of expertise span a wide array of legal disciplines, making him a versatile advocate capable of handling multifaceted cases with precision and care. He holds both an LL.B. and LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree.
Throughout his career, Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf has been involved in numerous landmark cases that have set significant legal precedents. His methodical approach, combined with a deep understanding of the law, has earned him the respect of his peers and clients alike. He is known for his meticulous preparation and ability to craft compelling arguments that influence the course of justice. A recent landmark judgment in which he successfully represented his client was FCP v STC and Another (Appeal) 2025 JDR 0812 (WCC), where the Appeal Court supported his argument that a child’s right to maintenance and a parent’s responsibility in that regard cannot be terminated. Google his more recent judgments.
Two of his notable judgments of approximately two decades ago were when he successfully argued for his clients in the reported cases of:
- Petersen v Maintenance Officer Simon’s Town Maintenance Court and Others 2004 2 SA 56 (C) 381. Because of this case, it is now possible to claim maintenance from paternal grandparents of children born out of wedlock. This was not possible for over 80 years; and
- Soller v Maintenance Magistrate, Wynberg and Others 2006 2 SA 66 (C) 2006 446, where the Western Cape High Court confirmed the extensive powers of the Maintenance Court, which included interdicting pension funds to pay.
Trust Account Advocate
Advocate Abduroaf is a Trust Account Advocate. Therefore, his work comes to him via attorneys or directly from the public. Therefore, if you require the assistance of Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf, you may approach him directly.
Contributions to the Community
Beyond the courtroom, Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf is deeply invested in online community development and legal education. He has organised and participated in numerous events aimed at empowering individuals with knowledge of their legal rights. His efforts to make the law accessible to all reflect his belief in the transformative power of knowledge and justice.
A Vision for the Future
Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf continues to inspire aspiring legal professionals and advocates. His career is a testament to the value of integrity, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of justice. As he forges ahead, his contributions to the legal field and society as a whole remain invaluable.
In sum, Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated advocate, using his knowledge and expertise to make a meaningful impact in the lives of many. His legacy is one of justice, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
CONNECT WITH ADVOCATE MUHAMMAD ABDUROAF
If you wish to connect with Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf, his website is www.abduroaf.co.za. We suggest you schedule an appointment with him if you require legal advice or legal representation.
Good day
I’ve applied for child mantainance of 2000 for 2 babies and R1000 extra for the one attending crèche since his fees are R1950 pm but was told by maintenance officer if the father did not consent for the child to attend that school his not obliged to pay and I did consult the father prior to enrolling the child to the school he chose to not reply to all the read messages I sent him and the child had to start attending school as it was needed now the father dropped the amount of money he was supporting with from 2000 to 1500 and said he can only afford that much for 2 children of which it’s not enough for 10months and 2yrs who are on diapers and formula and I’m currently the only one paying for most of their needs (medical aid, education, nanny, clothing). And we’re earning the same amount of salary. His claiming that he’s supporting other kids he has on the side of which he’s not distributing the funds fairly and his not paying a maintenance order for the other kids his doing it out of his own by paying more for them because he says they never took him to court now his punishing my kids for the sake I took him to maintanance court. Please advise as the maintanance officer is not conducting proper investigation in this matter.
Good day. We advise you to speak to the magistrate or court manager about how the maintenance officer is conducting the case.
Good day, I have applied for increase in maintanance. Currently receiving R2800 for two teenage daughters. I have based on what I pay out for the kids is way way more than his R1400 per month per child. I have asked for te sum of R5300 plus he add them to his medical aid.
He has on many occasions said he is broke and can not afford paying more money. Yet he has over the last 4 years been to Thailand, Victoria Falls Mecca 3 Occassions I have photographic evidence how do I ask that they check to see who paid for these holidays? Surely if you broke you would not be able to afford such holidays and use the excuse a “rich” friend has paid for it.
Good day
We advise that you approach the maintenance court for an increase in maintenance. They would assess the matter accordingly.
Dear Sir/Madam
If I have a high court order granting me visitation rights every weekend, but still not able to see my daughter . My daughter and I shared a close bond up until 2 years ago. Her mother has willfully alienated my daughter by making up stories and painting a picture/brainwashing my daughter against me. At the same time not allowing me to speak to her telephonically . When attempting to pick up my daughter, she ran from me like I had a disease. I’ve been told that the SA justice system has no way of protecting or assisting me in this regard and I haven’t seen my daughter for more than 2 years now.
Good day
We advise you to approach the children’s court in your area.
Good day, I believe I have an interesting case, in terms of and maintenance and need some guidance as to process from here.
History
2015 I initiated a reciprocal maintenance application against my child’s father, as Ontario Canada is one of the proclaimed states. And he is a South African with Canadian dual citizenship. Because even though he had a South African Attorney, he refused to entertain any form of maintenance discussion here in SA. SA sent the provisional order to Canada
In 2016 my ex with his South African lawyer tried to stop the file being sent to the Ontario General in Ontario, a case that was dismissed by the Magistrates court here in South Africa
In 2017 the matter was in Canada. My ex then launched a further application in Canada against me, to state he was not resident.
Which is fair and well, but this caused a 12-month delay in the matter been heard in Canada (December 2017), during which the legislation there changed from ordinarily resident to habitually resident, which as he is currently on contract in Saudi, meant the order could not be enforced in Canada. My ex spent over $ 50 000 on the Canadian case alone, and even though he tried to get costs to order against me, the judge said the following in his reasons and judgement release in March 2018
“ it is to be noted that after the Respondent’s Motion being issued, ISOA was amended. The words “ordinarily resides” were replaced with the words “habitually resides”. That amendment is relevant to the determination of the issues before the court. And (Page 6, Para 38) this court confirms that it does not have the jurisdiction to deal with the Application seeking the confirmation of the South African Provisional Order because the Respondent does not habitually reside in Ontario.
(Page6, para 40) However the Respondent had apparent knowledge of the Application and took it upon himself to commence this Motion. The result was to bring the Application back before the court. Accordingly, this court is not prepared to entertain submissions as to costs. It is the court’s view that any costs incurred by the Respondent with respect to the Motion before the court were unnecessary.
Of interest is during this whole process, the South African attorney sent me a settlement agreement in South Africa in October 2017, which as the matter was so advanced in Canada, I was unable to accept she would not even allow discussion.
At the same time, the Canadian Attorney was advising me that the South African Attorney had no right to offer said settlement. And that we would all need to wait until the matter was concluded in Canada. Which it has now
The South African attorney withdrew her mandate the day after the Canadian judgement was shared.
It was a delightful time with threats all round from both attorneys
The matter is now back in South Africa.
My basic understanding is that by responding to the South African case file both in terms initially trying to stop the reciprocal matter going forward and by offering a settlement in South Africa that my ex has accepted the jurisdiction of the South African Maintenance court, but am unable to find the correct wording or case files that refer.
By having accepted jurisdiction, it should be a simpler matter of having the South African Order confirmed? And Substituted service application, as to date all documents have been sent by email, setting precedent again.
I am unrepresented, as I cannot afford more years of attorney fees ( 2105 to now on maintenance alone) and our combined household income exceeds legal aid’s base requirements.
Thus any advice and pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated as to how to get the 2017 offer made an order of the court or the original provisional order from 2015 made a final order.
Good day
We would suggest that you consult with an attorney familiar with REMO to advise you on the best possible way forward.