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Nyaradzo Bakari, Chronicle Reporter
A BULAWAYO man allegedly stole property worth more than $11 000 from his tenant who had defaulted on paying rent.

Gift Ndlovu (24), from Lobengula West suburb, allegedly broke into his house leased by Ms Margret Mashavave and stole property worth $11 020.

Ndlovu pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube on Friday.

Ms Dube remanded him to tomorrow for continuation of trial.

In his defence, Ndlovu said he only took property worth $400, which he returned when Ms Mashavave finally paid the outstanding rent.

Prosecuting Mr Nathan Marime said Ndlovu used an unknown object to open a window to Mashavave’s house while she was in Kwekwe and took her property.

“The complainant was away in Kwekwe when the accused demanded rent money and the complainant sent him $50 on Ecocash, but he demanded the rest of the money,” said Mr Marime.

He said Ndlovu broke into Ms Mashavave’s house and took property without her consent.

Ms Mashavave said when she finally paid the outstanding rent, Ndlovu only returned property worth $400.

“In April I was in Kwekwe when accused person called demanding $150 rent. I managed to raise $50 which I sent through ecocash but the accused said I should remove property from his house since I had failed to pay the full amount.

“I phoned my son to collect the property but he was only given property worth $400 instead of $11 420,” she said. —@NyarieBakie