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Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A HOBHOUSE, Mutare woman broke down and wept uncontrollably in court after her friend denied owing her US$70.
The drama erupted at Mutare Civil Court last week on Friday where Yolanda Mandigora had dragged her friend, Anna-Marry Mudzura, to claim the US$70 owed to her.
A cross-border trader, Mandigora said using a credit facility, Mudzura bought clothes worth US$85 from her.
This happened just before Christmas last year and Mudzura promised to pay after two weeks.
However, she only paid $15.
When asked about the debt, Mudzura insisted that she had paid up.
She claimed that Mandigora now wants the interest accrued before the settlement of the debt.
“I paid up all her money on April 30. It is true that I should have paid all of it in January, but I failed because I was going through hard times. I apologised before paying her back. What she wants is interest for the debt I had. The day I went to pay her, she told me that I had to pay her an interest of US$70 as I had taken too long to pay up,” she said.
Mudzura called her daughter, Heather, as a witness.
Heather testified that she accompanied her mother to Mandigora’s home in Hobhouse to pay back the money.
“Mandigora you were at your home in Hobhouse when we came and gave you your money. Your later demanded an interest from us,” said Heather.
At that moment, Mandigora broke down and wept uncontrollably.
“Heather why would you lie against me? What wrong have I ever done to you? I never received anything from these people. My elderly mother lent me the money to venture into business and I want to pay her back.
‘‘I cannot do so with Mudzura refusing to pay me back my money. I want my money back,” cried Mandigora.
She went further to tell the court that she was out of town on the day that Mudzura and her daughter were claiming that they settled the debt.
“I was at our rural home looking after my mother-in-law who was not feeling well in April and May. My family and friends all know about this. In fact, we can call them to court to confirm this. There is no way that Mudzura and her daughter would have visited me and paid the debt in Hobhouse,” said the woman.
Mandigora’s mother, who was seated outside during the court session, was called to testify.
She confirmed that her daughter was away between April and May.
“I remember vividly that she was away because I also wanted to visit her in Mutare, but she told me that she was away,” said the elderly woman.
Mr Chipato ordered Mudzura to pay Mandigora’s US$70 by September 5.
He also warned Mudzura and her daughter against lying in court.
Online Reporter