Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
HONDE Valley’s Ruda Primary School deputy head and Brookdale Private College principal, Mr Munyaradzi Mutovo, is embroiled in a US$5 546 debt dispute that has spilled into the Mutare Civil Court, with a relative seeking to recover money allegedly loaned to him for the payment of ZIMSEC examination fees.
The applicant, Mr Malvern Marimbita, who is Mutovo’s brother-in-law, alleges that he advanced the money after being approached for financial assistance in June.
In the court papers, Mr Marimbita claims that on June 12, Mutovo contacted him requesting a loan of US$5 546, saying he needed the funds to settle ZIMSEC examination fees for learners at Brookdale Private College in Hauna, Honde Valley.
“Munyaradzi Mutovo called me and asked for a loan of US$5 546, claiming that he wanted to pay ZIMSEC examination fees for his students.
“He is the principal of Brookdale College in Hauna, Honde Valley, which is privately owned by him. He is also the deputy head at Ruda Primary School in Honde Valley,” stated Mr Marimbita.
Marimbita said the following day, June 13, Mutovo visited his workplace carrying a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine linked to Account Number 8486123822020.
“I proceeded to swipe and transfer money into his account, totalling US$5 546. I have attached proof of payment as Annexure A,” he stated.
Mr Marimbita said Mutovo repaid US$2 000 on June 18, through EcoCash, leaving an outstanding balance of US$3 546.
“He transferred US$2 000 into my EcoCash and was left with a balance of US$3 546. He has since refused to pay back the outstanding amount, leaving me with no option, but to approach the court,” he alleged.
However, Mutovo has strongly denied owing Marimbita any money, dismissing the claim as false and malicious.
“He is lying. I do not owe him anything,” said Mutovo when contacted for comment.
“He is bent on destroying my reputation. He actually told me that he wants to bring me down, and that is the reason he is doing all this,” he said.
Mutovo further said the dispute should be viewed in the context of personal differences involving his estranged wife, who is Marimbita’s sister.
“I have my own differences with his sister, who happens to be my wife, and we are currently separated,” he said.
The matter is pending before the Mutare Civil Court.
