Online Reporter
Solomon Bhumu
Weekender Reporter
A LONG-STANDING dispute over an unpaid babysitting debt worth US$180 has pitted two former close friends from Dangamvura against each other in a civil court battle.
Esteri Mupfambi (26) dragged her erstwhile confidante, Rutendo Gumbidza (25), to court, seeking redress for the debt she claims is owed to her.
Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato presided over the matter.
Mupfambi said Gumbidza engaged her services in January to care for her two children while she was at work, agreeing to pay US$5 per day. However, the payment never materialised, prompting Mupfambi to seek legal recourse.
“Your worship, I came here because we have tried to resolve this matter amicably, but to no avail.
“This woman refused to pay me my US$180 for looking after her children while she went to work,” she said.
Mupfambi further alleged that Gumbidza became hostile whenever she inquired about the payment.
“She insults me with harsh words whenever I ask for my money. She seems to forget that she was the one who begged me to help her with her children,” said Mupfambi.
Gumbidza admitted hiring Mupfambi as a babysitter, and agreed to the US$5 daily rate. However, she disputed the total amount owed, claiming it was US$90, not US$180.
“Your worship, I agree that I owe her, but the amount is US$90. I had already made some payments before,” said Gumbidza.
Gumbidza explained that she regularly left Mupfambi US$5 each day until June when she stopped working and could no longer keep up with the payments.
She insisted that she had paid US$90 towards the debt by that time.
However, Mupfambi countered that the US$90 in question was for an earlier, unrelated debt, leaving the court to unravel the dispute.
“Yes, she gave me US$90, but that was for previous debts. I used to give her money when she came to me crying that she had no food for her children,” she said.
Mr Chipato asked Mupfambi to provide written evidence of the agreement and records of payment, but she was unable to produce any documentation.
As a result, the court ruled in Gumbidza’s favour, ordering her to pay only US$90.
“Mrs Mupfambi, since you failed to produce tangible and satisfactory evidence, the court will consider US$90 as the amount to be paid as your balance,” he ruled
