adminLovemore Kadzura in Rusape–
RUSAPE shoppers were last Saturday morning treated to free drama when alleged business partners-cum lovers, Barnabas Nemaire and Gladys Svosve were involved in a street fight, resulting in the former being detained overnight. Police confirmed the fight and arrest of Nemaire, who was later released on Sunday morning after Svosve dropped the charges against him.
Witnesses said the scuffle, which happened at Svosve’s Greysteam Clinic in full view of her employees and also drew the attention of hordes of passers-by was over computers which Nemaire wanted to repossess from Svosve.
It is alleged that Nemaire was claiming that he was the one who bought the computers for Svosve and wanted to take them, but she would have none of it.
As the situation was getting out of hand, Svosve allegedly sped off to lodge a theft of computers complaint at Rusape Central Police Station, leading to Nemaire’s arrest. Nemaire spent a night in police cells.
However, Svosve later withdrew the charges on Sunday morning, resulting in Nemaire’s release.
Rusape District police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Muzondiwa Clean said Svosve had laid a charge of theft against Nemaire, but later withdrew it.
“Yes, I can confirm that Gladys Svosve laid a charge of theft of computers against Barnabas Nemaire last Saturday.
“He was arrested and detained overnight but Gladys Svosve later withdrew the charges and Nemaire was released,” said Asst Insp Clean.
The two were later spotted in Rusape on Monday in Svosve’s car, which was being driven by her daughter. When contacted for comment on last Saturday’s scuffle, Svosve vehemently denied ever fighting with Nemaire or making a police report.
“Who told you that nhaiwe Lovemore? You are lying, nothing happened. There was nothing like that. “The people who told you that were sending you on a wild goose chase.
“They are malicious. Please don’t quote my name when you write your story. I never reported any case against Nemaire, where is the docket? Inga wani Nemaire waved you when we were together, so ndakamusungisa papi?’’ said Svosve
Persistent efforts to get a comment from Nemaire were fruitless at the time of going to Press as his mobile phone was switched off. Meanwhile, Nemaire’s woes are proving to be far from over with creditors suing him for debts running into thousands of dollars.
He was hoping to settle some of the debts through money raised from school fees but was dealt a heavy blow after the school he co-owns with his wife, Victoria, was closed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Nemaire and Watermark College have several pending cases at the High Court, Rusape Magistrates’ Court and the Labour Court, where creditors and former employees are demanding their dues.
The latest to claim his dues is Rusape businessman Pradrip Rana, who was leasing his house to Watermark College and was being used as a hostel. He is claiming $5 196, 17 in unpaid electricity bills and $8 900 in unpaid rentals and damages to property.
Rana, who is represented by Mr Tendai Bvuma of Bvuma and Associates in his court application is accusing Nemaire of breaching the deed of settlement they had agreed upon on how to settle the debt.
“On May 27, 2014, the plaintiff (Mr Rana) issued summons against the defendant (Nemaire) claiming $5 196, 17 in unpaid electricity charges and $8 900 in unpaid rental arrears and damages on vandalised property on the premises that Watermark College leased from the plaintiff.
“On October 2, 2014, a deed of settlement was entered into between the parties on how Watermark College would settle the money owed to the plaintiff.
In terms of the deed of settlement, the defendant was to pay a monthly instalment of $600 until the whole debt was cleared off, $500 going towards the rental arrears and $100 going towards settlement of the unpaid electricity charges.
“Further, in terms of the deed of settlement, the first instalment was to be paid on October 3, 2014, while the subsequent payments were to be made on the last of each month.
“Pursuant to the deed of settlement the defendant has paid only $1 500 for the whole period from October 2, 2014 to date. Despite several reminders from the plaintiff, Nemaire has neglected, refused or failed to remedy the breach of agreement,” stated Mr Bvuma.
Nemaire is not denying owing Mr Rana, but is arguing that the combined amount of electricity and rentals is $14 096, 17 and exceeds the $10 000 that can be heard at the Magistrates’ Court. The matter will be heard on February 10.
Online Reporter