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Messengers of Court ‘assault’ man in property fight

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A FIGHT for a residential property between Apostolic Flame leader Oliver Chipunza and Harare man Barnabas Chirenje turned nasty last Thursday after the latter was allegedly assaulted by Messenger of Court officials.

A FIGHT for a residential property between Apostolic Flame leader Oliver Chipunza and Harare man Barnabas Chirenje turned nasty last Thursday after the latter was allegedly assaulted by Messenger of Court officials when he refused to vacate the property located in Westlea suburb to pave way for the cleric.

BY KENNEDY NYAVAYA

Chipunza accused Chirenje of illegally occupying the land, stand number 5948 Westlea, where he has since built a four-bedroomed house. The latest incident came after Chipunza had won a default judgment at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on February 11 this year, where he was recognised as the legitimate owner of the property.

The property wrangle started late last year when Chipunza claimed he had been given the piece of land in question as “seed” by an unidentified church member in 2008, while Chirenje claimed to have bought the same property in June 2012 from one Aubrey Chiuta Dube.

It has also emerged that the affidavit confirming Chipunza’s ownership of the land was only submitted last year when Chirenje had already erected a cottage and the main house.

Chirenje told NewsDay last week that he was now living in fear of further harassment as he had received death threats from Chipunza and his accomplices.

“I live here in fear because at one time, they sent me a fake CIO (Central Intelligence Organisation) member who wanted to extort the land documents in my possession, but fortunately he was arrested. Later, they sent Aubrey’s 71-year-old father who was masquerading as a private investigator yet he wanted to swindle me of $10 000,” Chirenje said.

“The courts are saying he (Chipunza) can do whatever he likes with the property as it is his, but I have spent my whole life earnings building this house and have documents of ownership, so I’m pleading with the President (Robert Mugabe) to do something and stop these thieves from stealing from me.”

Chirenje has vowed to stay put at the house, saying he would only vacate after Chipunza has paid him $120 000 compensation.

Interestingly, there are two Aubrey Chiuta Dubes who are both members of Chipunza’s church and Chirenje believes they all connived to steal from him.

Both Dubes could not be reached for comment as their mobile phones could not get through.