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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
BULAWAYO’s top socialite Babongile Sikhonjwa, is likely to have his property go under the hammer tomorrow as he is in rent arrears amounting to $1,200.
According to an advert placed in yesterday’s Chronicle by the messenger of court, the NRZ Contributory Pension Fund is the plaintiff and Sikhonjwa is the defendant.
The property to be auctioned is a 42 inch LED television and a PA system with speakers, at the CIPF Complex along Khami road at 9AM.
Lawyers representing property managers Knight Frank — Dube, Tachiona and Tsvangirai, said Sikhonjwa had gone for six months without paying rent for number 5 Venture Court between 9th and 10th Avenue along George Silundika Street in Bulawayo.  He has been reportedly disputing the amount due since dollarisation.

The lawyer handling the case, Bruce Masamvu, said the amount had accumulated to $1,200 from $894. Knight Frank took Sikhonjwa to court to recover their $1,200 and during that period, Sikhonjwa was not paying his dues — probably hoping he would win the court case. He lost the court case and owed Knight Frank more as he was not paying his rent during the period when the case was in court.

“$894 is the capital debt that is left. When we were in court Babongile, was not paying rent. After he lost the case, he had to pay the rentals as they were accruing for those months.

“If Sikhonjwa pays by tomorrow (today), the auction of his property will be stopped,” he said.
In an interview Sikhonjwa said the dispute was over rentals for a room at Venture Court in the city. He said he was $1,200 in arrears and had failed to pay the money on time.

He said it was an “honour” for him to meet the messenger of court for the first time, adding that, at least, they now had a PA system that they could use during auctions.  He said he would pay up today to save his property from going under the hammer.

Asked if he was still residing at the Knight Frank-managed flat, Sikhonjwa said he had moved out.
Meanwhile, city businessman Dumisani Kodzai – owner of Dickies restaurants will also have his property going under the hammer tomorrow with a Bedford Truck being attached.