RABECCA BANDA writes
THE Chilenje Local Court has ordered a Lusaka man to pay the K1,137 water bill which he left behind at his former landlord’s residence.
Ruth Mwale, 46, businesswoman of Libala South sued her ex-tenant Bright Phiri,29, of Chilenje Township for the settlement of the water bill in question
They were appearing before senior local court magistrate Ackim Phiri sitting with senior local court magistrate Harriet Mbewe.
Mwale said that Phiri was her tenant and was owing her K1,137 in water bills.
She told the court that Phiri was paying K150 monthly for water but had defaulted for three months without reason.
“During the time he defaulted, the bill continued increasing and I informed him about it. The bill was K4, 500 which I divided among the four tenants,
“The other tenants paid while he has not paid anything. He shifted without telling me. I want him to pay me the K1, 137 so that I can settle the bill,” she said.
In defence Phiri said he only owed Mwale K450 because he had defaulted for three months.
“I don’t know how it has come to K1, 137. I owe her K450 and not K1, 137 as she is claiming. That bill of K4, 500 came out after I had already shifted. I tried to pay the K450 in two installments but she refused,
“If she has accepted the money I gave her, I could have finished paying by now,” he said.
The court ordered Phiri to find the money and clear the water bill by the end of August.