By Panashe Divine Karidzagundi
THE Civil Court sitting at Beitbridge has ordered a man to repay a debt amounting to US$2 000 and R7 000 through monthly installments after presiding over te unpaid money dispute.
The matter, involving Listen Sebata as the applicant and Hilton Chivandura as the respondent, was heard before magistrate Mbonisi Kaweni.
This was after Chivandura failed to honour an earlier repayment agreement.
Sebata told the court that she lent Chivandura US$2 000 and R10 000 in 2024.
Their agreement was that he would begin repaying the money in monthly installments of US$300 starting August of the same year.
The agreement was reached after a round-table discussion involving their legal representatives.
However, Sebata said the Chivandura failed to make any payments as agreed, prompting her to seek legal intervention.
In September,Sebata engaged her lawyer, who issued a letter of demand.
She added, Chivandura only made a partial payment of R3 000 in October and has not paid anything further since then.
“It is my application for him to pay back my money,” Sebata told the court.
In response, Chivandura admitted owing the money but said he had faced financial difficulties after being robbed.
“I was robbed and lost everything. I am, however, willing to pay US$100 and R1 000 per month until the debt is cleared,” he said.
Sebata appealed for a higher monthly installment, citing her financial responsibilities.
“I am only a teacher and I have a child in university. He is a landlord with tenants, so he can afford more. Let him pay at least US$200 and R1 000,” she submitted.
Chivandura argued that he could not afford the proposed amount but offered to increase his payment to US$150 per month, in addition to R1 000.
After further deliberations, Sebata agreed to the revised terms.
The court heard that the outstanding balance now stands at US$2 000 and R7 000.
Kaweni subsequently ordered Chivandura to pay US$150 and R1 000 per month until the debt is fully settled using their agreed payments methods.