Mbabane – A Matsapha-based bishop has told the High Court that declining church donations have left him struggling to meet court-ordered child maintenance and school fees, arguing that his monthly financial obligations now exceed his salary.
Vincent Jabulani Hlatshwako, who leads Rest in Christ Ministries, makes the claim in an answering affidavit opposing an application by his former wife, Busisiwe Happiness Matsenjwa, in a maintenance-related dispute before the High Court in Mbabane.
Hlatshwako says he earns a monthly salary of E45 000 from the church, but is expected to pay E13 000 in maintenance for their two minor children, service a mortgage of about E17 700 and repay a vehicle loan of E14 345.67.
According to his calculations, these obligations amount to E45 042.81 monthly, leaving him in a deficit before accounting for other living expenses.
He further says he contributes E10 000 monthly towards the rent and living allowance of their daughter who is studying in Johannesburg.
The bishop maintains that he is not seeking to escape his responsibility to support his children but argues that the existing arrangement has become financially unsustainable.
In explaining the decline in his finances, Hlatshwako says the church relies on donations and pledges from congregants to supplement his salary and meet some family expenses. However, he claims that congregants have been leaving the church following the public announcement of the couple’s marital problems and their subsequent divorce.
He says the reduced donations have affected the allowances made available to him by the church’s council of elders, which determines his salary and related benefits.
Hlatshwako argues that he has limited control over these funds because their availability depends on contributions from congregants.
He also says he has tried to maintain the lifestyle his family was accustomed to when the court order was issued on June 25, 2026, but could no longer sustain the arrangement.
The dispute also involves outstanding school fees at Enjabulweni School. Hlatshwako disputes his former wife’s account of his contributions, saying he has paid more than E6 000 towards school-related expenses this year, including expenses for the children at Enjabulweni and their daughter at the University of Johannesburg.
He acknowledges that he failed to pay the full maintenance amount for September 2026, attributing this to financial constraints and competing obligations towards his children.
According to the affidavit, a school statement dated September 10, 2026 reflected an outstanding balance of E56 853.97. Hlatshwako says he intends to make payments towards the account and settle it in full in November 2026.
He has also asked the court to allow him time to settle the outstanding Enjabulweni fees, arguing that executing a writ against his property would not provide an immediate solution because the sale of attached assets would be subject to statutory procedures.
The bishop further proposes that the children could be transferred to more affordable schools offering the same syllabus if the current fees become unaffordable.
He disputes his former wife’s position that the children’s interests are at risk, saying he has been providing for them and is willing to communicate with the school and their mother to ensure that both parents remain informed about their education.
Hlatshwako also argues that maintenance responsibilities should be shared by both parents according to their available financial resources. He alleges that Matsenjwa has not contributed towards the Johannesburg-based daughter’s expenses, a claim contained in his affidavit that has not been independently established.
He contends that the E13 000 monthly maintenance order for the two younger children should be reconsidered in light of his financial circumstances and obligations towards all three children.
In his submissions, Hlatshwako asks the court to dismiss his former wife’s application with costs, maintaining that attaching his property would offer only a temporary solution to what he describes as an ongoing financial problem.
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