Bulawayo man drags panel beating firm to court over a disagreement on painting car

A MAN from Bulawayo’s Magwegwe West suburb has dragged Skyline Panel Beaters and Spray Painters to court for allegedly impounding his car and demanding US$1 470 for spray painting, despite him reportedly instructing them to stop.

Mr Khumbulani Moyo appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate, Ms Beverly Madzikatire, on Wednesday and told the court that he was involved in an accident with his Mazda Rustler, which left the passenger door partially damaged.
He said he engaged Skyline Panel Beaters and Spray Painters to repair the damaged door and to paint the whole car, and they entered into a verbal agreement.

“In terms of the verbal agreement between Skyline Panel Beaters and Spray Painters, it was agreed that the respondent would spray paint the whole car, not just the damaged door, for US$1 470. However, the respondent reneged on the specific terms of the oral agreement, which entailed repairing the damaged part and spray painting the whole car. The respondent said he would only repair the damaged door,” the applicant told the court.
The applicant further stated that after the accident he bought a new door, and was shocked when the respondent insisted on repairing the damaged door instead.
The court heard that the applicant wrote a letter to the respondent instructing him to stop working on the car.
The respondent’s lawyer, Mr Goodluck Katenaire, argued that the applicant entered into an agreement with the respondent through a quotation.

“The agreement between the parties was based on a quotation issued to reflect the agreed scope of work and cost. The respondent maintains that he has kept the vehicle until the applicant (Mr Moyo) settles payment for services rendered in spray painting the car. The respondent did not breach a contract,” argued Mr Katenaire.
The matter was postponed to 8 May.