Tenant threatens to poison water tanks

APENHALONGA man is threatening to poison his landlord’s domestic water tanks. This emerged at Mutare Civil Magistrate Court where Ruben Chabiti dragged his tenant, Tendai Nyamukwerera, to court.

He was applying for a peace order against him.

Chabiti said the plot in question belongs to his United Kingdom-based friend who gave him a lease which gives him the authority to superintend over all operations at the plot.

Chabiti said Nyamukwerera is now causing chaos and havoc at his residence as he is threatening to poison his water tanks.

The landlord and tenant appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato recently and the peace order was granted in Chabiti’s favour.

The peace order is valid for a year and Nyamukwerera was ordered not to harass, threaten, insult and disturb Chabiti’s peace in any way. Chabiti told the court that he is living in fear of his life as a result of Nyamukwerera’s threats.

He said after applying for Nyamukwerera’s eviction order, the latter was instructed to vacate the plot within three months. He, however, became wild.

Chabiti said when he moved to the property three years ago, Nyamukwerera was already a tenant there.

“He insults me and threatens to poison our water tanks. He also harasses my children, assaults my wife and insults her using vulgar language in the presence of my minor children,” said Chabiti.

He added: “He wantonly cuts down trees and also sells my friend’s tools. He is trying to force me out of the property.

“I applied for his eviction when he tried to attack my wife with an iron bar after she had told him to ask for permission before harvesting bananas.

“I am now living in fear of my life. Since he is threatening to poison our water source, I am afraid that one day he will do so.

“I am kindly asking the court to grant us this order while we wait for the expiry of his three-months eviction order,” said Chabiti.

Nyamukwerera denied all the allegations levelled against him.

“I do not know that he is a lease holder of this plot. He only wants me to vacate this place so that he can stay alone,” said Nyamukwerera.

The peace order was granted in Chabiti’s favour and Nyamukwerera was also ordered by the magistrate to vacate the premises within three months.