Man gets 315 hours community service for failing to pay hotel bill

A Hillcrest, Bulawayo man on a visit to Harare who spent a week at the Rainbow Towers Hotel and later failed to pay the hotel bills has been convicted of fraud.

Leonard Chipendo was slapped with 315 hours of community service by magistrate Ms Anita Tshuma.

Ms Tshuma sentenced Chipendo to 15 months imprisonment but suspended three months on condition that Chipendo does not commit a similar offence in the next five years.

Another three months were suspended on condition that he restitutes Rainbow Towers Hotel of US$1 076.

The remaining nine months were suspended on condition that Chipendo performs 315 hours of community service at Hillcrest Primary School in Bulawayo.
Facts are that on June 15 this year Chipendo booked into Rainbow Towers in Harare.

He assured the receptionist that he would pay his bill using a visa credit card.
Chipendo stayed at the hotel for seven days without paying his bills.

His long stay raised suspicion, which prompted the duty manager to inform the senior manager who then confronted Chipendo.

On being asked, Chipendo said he would pay the bill after selling a relative's house.
This led to his arrest. Total prejudice to Rainbow Towers Hotel was US$1 076.