Controversial “mega-rich” cabinet Minister Ignatius Chombo has taken his neighbour to court over a property damage valued at no more than $200.
The Minister yesterday brought his neighbour to court on allegations of damaging a water drainage system at his Chishawasha Hills home.
Nichodimus Vengayi Takavadi (49) appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Victoria Mashamba. He is facing malicious damage to property charges and was remanded out of custody to March 23.
Chombo’s site manager acting under the politician’s instructions, Mr Luckmore Thom stood in court yesterday. Prosecutor Ms Shambadzeni Fungura alleged that on February 20, Takavadi arrived home and discovered that Thom had already placed stones just before the minister’s precast wall.
The stones were a decoration at the residence, the court heard. It is alleged that Takavadi wanted to park his vehicle next to the minister’s precast wall. He allegedly pushed six stones down a slope and into the stormwater runoff (water drainage).
It is alleged that the drainage was built beside the minister’s precast wall, a few metres from the back gate. The drainage was damaged by the stones. After pushing the stones, Takavadi allegedly parked his vehicle along the minister’s precast wall.
It is alleged that Takavadi has been maintaining the land in front of the minister’s house. The value of the damaged property is $200.