Tenant torments granny

A SAKUBVA granny (75) had to drag her tenant to court after he refused to vacate her Muchena Section house despite being given a notice in March.

Gogo Esnath Gombakomba appeared before Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato, applying for an eviction order against Johani Masvingise who was refusing to vacate her house, arguing that he had been given a short notice.

Despite the notice he was given, Masvingise argued that he was yet to secure alternative accommodation.

Gogo Gombakomba said she was tired of Masvingise’s endless excuses, adding that he has been defaulting in paying monthly rentals.

She said due to her ill health, she now wants to use her house due to its proximity to a medical institution.

Gogo Gombakomba said Masvingise has been ignoring her calls and text messages whenever she tries to communicate with him over the eviction issue.

She was forced to travel from her rural home to discuss the issue.

Gogo Gombakomba said she took the matter to the Rent Board and Masvingise was advised to vacate on August 4.

He, however, failed to do so arguing that he was failing to secure a house big enough to accommodate his wife and five children.

Gogo Gombakomba also said at one point, Masvingise claimed that the house belonged to Mutare City Council and the elderly woman had no right to evict him.

She further said Masvingise also tried to politicise the issue, but she refused to be cowed down.

In response, Masvingise said he was given a short notice and was hoping that Gogo Gombakomba would extend the notice by five months so that he could look for a perfect place to stay with his family.

He claimed that he has been a good and loyal tenant for the 10 years he has been using Gogo Gombakomba’s house.

The court gave Masvingise two months to look for alternative accommodation.

Both parties were ordered to draft a deed settlement.