By Melisa Munzvandi
If you want to lose a friend, lend them money, this age old adage manifested in the Beitbridge Civil Court.
This reality dawned on based on painful reality dawned on Lindiwe Sinyoro who hauled Nomsa Ngazimbi before the court demanding a balance of $855.
That unfulfilled repayment expectations created an awkward power imbalance and resentment after they let money come between friendship, the saying was proved true with one friend left counting her loss.
Sinyoro told the court she lent Ngazimbi money in August 2025 to be paid back in instalments.
She said from the original amount, Ngazimbi had only paid $270 since September 2025, leaving a balance of $855 outstanding.
Ngazimbi pleaded to be allowed to continue paying in instalments as was agreed in the first place.
“I agree she helped me but I am failing to raise the money all at once. She was understanding but now I do not work so if I could pay in instalments,” Ngazimbi told the court.
Sinyoro was adamant that she pays the full amount, arguing that Ngazimbi had skipped the monthly payments.
Provincial Magistrate Mbonisi Kaweni ordered that Ngazimbi pays the outstanding balance of $855 before the end of November 2026 or face other civil case consequencies.