Online Reporter
Anotida Chonzi
Herald Reporter
A Harare tenant has been ordered by a magistrates’ court to pay rent and rates arrears totalling US$1 430.
Ms Valerie Janels took his tenant Mr Mikel Mutamangira to the Harare Civil Magistrate Court after he failed to pay rent and rates for two months in July and August for the Avondale property where he is staying.
Ms Janels told Harare Civil Court Magistrate Ms Johanna Mukweshe that Mr Mutamangira has not been cooperating and has failed to provide a valid reason for his failure to pay rent.
She said Mr Mutamangira informed her that he was vacating the premises in November, and she is worried she might fail to recover her money.
“He is very stubborn and has never given me a valid reason for not paying. Now he’s saying he will be vacating in November and I am afraid he will leave without paying his arrears,” she said.
Ms Janels submitted evidence to the court in the form of text messages between herself and Mr Mutamangira relating to the outstanding rent and overdue rates her tenant owes and City of Harare receipts for rates payments.
Mr Mutamangira opposed the submissions and told the court he owes Ms Janels US$1 040 in rentals and rates outstanding for two months.
“I owe her US$1 000 for two months’ rent and US$40 for water bills. When I started staying at her house, she had arrears of US$40 for water bills,” he said.
He denied damaging any of Ms Janels’ property.
“I actually fixed windows and the toilet’s flushing system when I moved in,” he said.
He confirmed to the court that he was moving out in November and needs five months to pay the arrears.
“l have been struggling financially, my wife has a medical condition and I have been using all my money to take care of her needs. I am leaving her house in November but I need five months to pay her,” he said.
After hearing both sides, Ms Mukweshe ordered Mr Mutamangira to pay US$1 430 before the end of September. She said if he fails to pay the amount, he faces arrest.
Online Reporter