Harare — A HARARE magistrate has issued a warrant of arrest against Murehwa Senator Tendai Makunde after he failed to appear in court yesterday for trial on charges of defying a court order compelling him to pay maintenance for the upkeep of his child.

Senator Makunde was, in June this year at the Civil Court, ordered to pay maintenance in the sum of US$350 per month for the upkeep of a minor he fathered with Ms Cynthia Mateyu.

However, the senator allegedly failed to pay the maintenance prompting Ms Mateyu to apply for contempt of court, seeking to have the legislator jailed for defying the court order.

Magistrate Mr Munamato Mutevedzi issued the warrant of arrest after Senator Makunde's name was called three times.

Prosecutor Miss Stancy Makuyana had applied for a warrant for his arrest.

Charges against Senator Makunde arose in June, when he was ordered to pay US$350 per month for the upkeep of his three-year-old child with effect from June 30 this year.