Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister Tapiwa Matangaidze’s business, Trinket Goldstein International (Pvt) Ltd, which owns Tipperary’s Night Club in Harare, has been taken to court by New Club Holdings (Pvt) Ltd seeking to recover over $210 000 in rent, rates, water and electricity bills arrears.
BY CHARLES LAITON
New Club Holdings filed the lawsuit at the High Court under case number 5359/16 seeking the intervention of the court to compel the deputy minister’s firm situated at 48-50 Fife Avenue in Harare, to pay.
However, Matangaidze’s club has since entered an appearance to defend notice and filed a request for further particulars with a view to filing a plea.
According to the property owner, on or about September 2002 or 2003, it leased out its business premises to Trinket Goldstein International, which is currently operating its Tipperary’s Night Club at the site.
New Club Holdings said the parties agreed that Trinket Goldstein International would pay $4 620 per month in rentals.
New Club also said it was further agreed that Trinket Goldstein would pay all rates and water bills to City of Harare as well as electricity bills.
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“As at May 10, 2016, the amount due by defendant to plaintiff in respect of arrear rent amounted to $85 237 and despite defendant agreeing to pay for electricity to Zesa, defendant has failed to pay and as at March 31, 2016 the amount due by defendant for unpaid electricity, for which plaintiff is liable to Zesa, amounted to $28 150, 59,” New Club said.
“Despite defendant agreeing to pay for rates and water to City of Harare, defendant has failed to do so and as at March 31, 2016, the amount due by defendant, as arrear rates and water for which plaintiff is liable to City of Harare, amounted to $88 210,43.”
In response to the claim, Matangaidze’s firm filed a request for further particulars, saying it wanted more information to enable it to plead.
“In order to enable defendant to plead, it requires the following particulars: On what basis is rent calculated at $4 620, on what basis does plaintiff claim electricity bills and on what basis does plaintiff claim rates and water bills?” the deputy minister’s firm asked.
The matter is still pending.
