Bad debtor faces jail

Faith Mandizha

A HARARE man risks being locked up for 15 days behind bars if he fails to settle a US$240 debt on January 15 next year.

Rhoda Matarutse took Shingirai Chikomo to court as a last resort after he repeatedly resisted settling a loan that he took from her.

Chikomo told the court that he was willing to pay back the loan at the end of February next year.

“l would have paid her back earlier Your Worship, but l was fired from my job and l am currently not working.

“I paid her US$50 a week ago and I am willing to pay bit by bit until l settle the debt. I don’t want to go to prison and if it’s possible, I would like to talk to her outside,” he said.

Rhoda turned down the February date, saying it would be too late.

“l never loaned him the money in small portions, why is he doing this to me. I regret helping him, l wish l never gave him my money,” she said.

Presiding magistrate Sharon Mashavire ordered Shingirai to pay back the money before January 15 or risk being locked up for 15 days.