Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A NYANGA couple who vanished after pocketing cash from a village savings group has been dragged before Chief Saunyama’s community court and ordered to pay back the money.
Makomborero Savings Group accused Chiremba Bhande and his wife of taking US$280 two years ago, before abruptly shutting their shop and leaving the village.
A group member who was not asked her name in the court, said after receiving the money, the couple disappeared from the village.
“We started our village savings group way back. Members contribute money and after a year we share the proceeds. Among our members are Mr and Mrs Bhande. They took US$280 from the group and left the village permanently. We made several follow-ups, but they are refusing to pay back. We reported the matter to the village head who referred us to this court,” said the member.
Bhande first claimed that he was not a member of the group as his wife joined it without his knowledge, and later offered to pay US$10 per month.
“I am not a member of this group. I only learnt of the group when I received summons to appear before this court. Since it is my first time to hear about this debt I am willing to pay US$10 per month. There is a payment for the cotton I delivered I am expecting which I will use part of it to settle the debt. I am also selling my shop,” said Bhande.
Mai Bhande said she intends to pay back after harvesting her crops, and also she is selling her refrigerator,
She, however, acknowledged a debt of only US$200.
“It is true that I was a member of the group. I was the one who kept the group’s book at our shop. I joined without my husband’s knowledge. I failed to pay back the money, and told the members that they should deduct what I owe them from my share at the end of the year. I owe them US$200, not US$280 what they are claiming.
“When I delivered cotton, I met one of the members, and advised her that I was going to pay back the money. I have a lot of debts. I am also selling a refrigerator to cover the debts. We have planned with my husband to pay off the debt after harvesting our crops. This season we have a number of crops. This is when we received the summons,” she said.
Another elderly member, said Bhande was not truthful to claim he only came to know of the debt through court summons as he once promised to pay up.
“The debt is now three-years-old. I once met Baba Bhande in Nyanga town, and he acknowledged the debt, and promised to pay back. He said he has school fees issues to attend to. Right now my relationship with my daughter in-law is strained because she lost her money in the group I encouraged her to join due to Baba and Mai Bhande’s actions.
“There is no willingness to pay by these two people. They have not even suggested a payment plan. There are other defaulting members who are gradually clearing their debts and paying through the village head without being summoned to court. This couple just took our money and vanished from the village. The money we are claiming is the principal debt as we have decided not to include the interests, but still they are reluctant to pay. They did not even bid farewell that they are leaving the village,” said the member.
Chief Saunyama found Bhande and his wife guilty of owing Makomborero Group the money, and ordered them to pay up. He directed that they submit the refrigerator to be auctioned at the court.
“This debt is now long overdue. Two years is a longtime, and if they were serious about paying they should have cleared the debt by now. There is also an issue of Mai Bhande recruiting her husband into the group without his knowledge. However, the money should be paid up. The refrigerator is valued at US$100 and Bhande is to pay US$30 till the debt is cleared,” ruled Chief Saunyama.
