adminBrenda Phiri Harare Bureau
Property worth over $9,000 belonging to ZimGossip Modelling Agency is set to be auctioned today after the owner failed to settle a debt incurred after hosting the Miss Curvy Africa pageant in 2013.The agency which is run by Mercy “Catwalk” Mushaninga failed to pay Treasurepoint Travel Tours for air tickets for 13 international contestants that took part in the pageant dubbed “Diamond Queen of Africa”.
The contest held on August 16, 2013 at Harare International Conference Centre and featured 16 participants from different parts of Africa was a big flop after low turnout.
Chiedza Gwanda, a Zimbabwean who was an intern at a local law firm at the time, won the pageant and walked away with $3,000 and a return trip to Victoria Falls.
The travel agency successfully sued Catwalk and ZimGossip Modelling Agency. A court ruling on December 16, 2014 ordered Mushaninga to pay for the tickets and interest which she failed to do, prompting the Messenger of Court to attach her property.
Part of the attached property includes two desks, a front office desk and chairs, swivel chairs, portable air conditioner, printers and computers.
Mushaninga admitted to owing the travelling agency, but blamed one of the sponsors for not honouring their pledge.
“We’re in the process of stopping the auction today. Like we mentioned in court, we were promised the money by a sponsor, but unfortunately they did not honour the pledge.
“We engaged them and we are mapping a way foward,” said Mushaninga.
She said her agency was also pursuing a legal route against the sponsor.
“This case has inconvenienced us in many ways since last year. We are in the process of filing our papers against the sponsor,” she said.
The modelling agency has since relocated from Batanai Gardens in the Harare CBD to the Avenues.
Online Reporter