Businessman in rent arrears

A HARARE businessman has been dragged to the Harare Civil Court over failure to settle his rentals.

Malvern Chimutashu is at loggerheads with retired banker and owner of the Mt Pleasant rental property, Lawrence Tamayi.

The pair appeared before Magistrate Lanzini Ncube, who deferred the matter to November 22 for judgement after both parties presented their arguments.

Chimutashu’s arrears accrued after a company he owns, EBA Insurance, defaulted in rental payments.

This prompted Tamayi to take Chimutashu to court in a bid to recover the outstanding payments.

Magistrate Ncube shot down Chimutashu’s attempt to get the matter postponed, saying it had been delayed long enough in the past and had to proceed.

Asked to make any submissions, Chimutashu said:

“I cannot confirm whether the witness is here. I need to appeal against the magistrate’s decision to proceed with the matter before I have seen the court records,” said Chimutashu.

However, Magistrate Ncube did not entertain the application, but instead proceeded to announce the judgment date.

“There being no other submissions from both parties. I hereby declare November 22, as the date when the ruling on the matter will be delivered,” said the magistrate.