A HARARE man says he has grown weary of his “tenant”, whom he accuses of collecting rentals from other tenants and squandering the money.
Odreck Valeta said to make matters worse, the supposed tenant, Tapiwa Rusanga, claims she inherited the house, No 6765/18 Muchakata Road in Mufakose, from her mother, Mildred Madondo, who is now late.
In May this year, Valeta told the court that he tried to evict Rusanga without success, adding that water bills and rate arrears were mounting.
He said he did not authorise Rusanga to occupy the house, adding that she “exhibits very spiteful and arrogant conduct towards the plaintiff [Valeta], claiming to be the owner of the house”.
In particulars of claim dated July 28, 2025, tendered at the magistrates court, Valeta said: “Thus the continued occupation of the premises by the defendant is highly prejudicial to the plaintiff, who has had to seek accommodation elsewhere.”
Rusanga, in papers filed with the court on June 5, 2025, argues that the house is registered in her mother’s name.
“Plaintiff sold the house to defendant’s father, who is now late. The matter was finalised by the Supreme Court and ownership of the property was transferred to defendant’s late mother.
“Ownership of the property is still in defendant’s late mother’s name and I reside on the property on the basis of that.”
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Valeta, on the other hand, claims he did not sell the house to the defendant’s father, Julius Murwara, now late, claiming that instead, Murwara attempted to change ownership of the house when he moved in as a tenant in 1997.
Valeta said when he found out Murwara’s misdeeds, he evicted him and he went to stay with his wife in the rural areas.
He said Murwara passed on in the same year.
Valeta produced documentation from the City of Harare, REF BC/2/MUF/6765, dated June 17, 2013 signed by the director for housing and community services Justin Mutero Chivavaya, which reads: “Please be advised that according to my records, there is nothing indicating any change of ownership from Odreck Valeta to another person.
“The property is still registered in the name of Odreck Valeta as per the signed agreement of sale dated April 5, 1988.”
Valeta says despite wielding a court order, he has failed to evict Rusanga and has run out of money to engage the services of the deputy sheriff
