Lodger bashed for failing to pay rent

A 32-YEAR-OLD woman from Chinotimba suburb in Victoria Falls has been dragged to court for bashing her tenant with a stick after she failed to pay rent. Nomathemba Ncube flew off the handle after Memory Dube, 38, failed to fork out rent for three months. In a fit of rage Ncube allegedly demanded her money and when she could not get it, she turned physical.

Dube, a court heard yesterday, sustained injuries all over her body and was treated and discharged at Victoria Falls Hospital.

Ncube appeared before Victoria Falls magistrate Rangarirai Gakanje charged with assault.

She pleaded guilty and the magistrate remanded her out of custody to November 23 for sentencing. In mitigation, Ncube told the court that she had been patient for a long time and felt Dube was disrespecting her by not paying.

"Your worship, I didn't not mean to cause her any harm. I was just angry because she has been staying at my house for free and has not made any plans to look for a job to cover her rentals," she said.

Prosecuting, Listen Nare told the court that on November 13 at her Chinotimba house, Ncube had an argument with Dube.

"The accused demanded money which Dube owed her and when she told her she didn't have it Ncube picked a stick and assaulted her several times all over the body," said Nare.

"Ncube told her tenant that if she could not afford to pay she should move out together with her children." A bruised Dube made her way to the hospital where she was treated and discharged, the court heard.

She made a report to the police leading to Ncube's arrest. The amount that Dube owes Ncube was not disclosed in court.