adminBongani Ndlovu Chronicle Reporter
ENTUMBANE residents are up in arms with a cheeky tenant who is refusing to vacate a house he rented for 18 years demanding $13,000 from the owner before he leaves. The old tenant only identified as Tirerimwe claims he now partly owns the house which belongs to Bhekimpilo Mpofu (49) saying he will only vacate if Mpofu pays him $13,000 which he spent on utility bills.
He also allegedly vandalised an electricity circuit breaker, which he tried to tear from a wall, saying it belonged to him.
When a Chronicle news crew arrived at Entumbane at house number 31539/16 on Wednesday afternoon, Tirerimwe had locked out new tenants and property such as beds, wardrobes, bags and kitchen units were scattered in the yard.
Residents were milling around to catch a glimpse of the action and assist Mpofu in evicting the tenant. Police were also interrogating the landlord and the stubborn tenant.
Mpofu said for the past four years he has tried to evict Tirerimwe and his family, without luck.
He said: “They refused to leave saying they partly own the house because they have spent a lot of money on utility bills. They vowed not to leave until we give them $13,000 which they claim is part of their share from the total cost of the house,” said a tearful Mpofu.
His wife Florence Ncube, 34 who had no kind words for Tirerimwe accused him of trying to steal their house.
“Their aim is to take away our house and they have failed. We want them out of the house as soon as yesterday because their notice expired at the end of March,” she said.
Ncube said the tenants had asked for an extension so that they could find alternative accommodation but they failed to fulfill their promise.
“All hell broke loose when their stay expired and new tenants had to move in,” she said.
Ncube said on Tuesday night they went to the police station to find a solution to the impasse.
“We went there and the police said we should accommodate them for one night so that they can move out the next day. However, when we were heading home they disappeared into the darkness only to emerge the following morning. The new tenant has been in the open ever since,” she said.
Gugulethu Mhlanga, 24, the new tenant said he spent the night outside guarding his property.
“The tenant locked the room and we spent the night outside. I didn’t sleep as I was afraid that if I slept my property would be stolen,” said Mhlanga.
A member of Entumbane residents association Violet Nxumalo said: “We intervened because we wanted them to reach an amicable solution. We wanted to help our neighbour as well because we felt he was being shortchanged by his tenants. The Mpofu family could have been homeless as we speak”.
Tirerimwe locked himself and his family in their room when approached for comment.
He said: “We do not want to say anything to the media.”
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