Zimpapers Logo

Lovemore Meya Herald Correspondent
Chitungwiza Municipality had by last week not yet received some of its attached property from Revelations Auctioneers, as it emerged that the company had issued two conflicting statements on how much council owes.There is an impasse as a result. President Mugabe recently stopped the auctioning of Chitungwiza council property on humanitarian grounds.

The attachment of the property had affected service delivery in the town. Council was no longer able to collect refuse, provide water and other basic necessities. Revelations Auctioneers, through the Sheriff of the High Court, issued two letters with varying figures. This forced Chitungwiza Municipality to demand a breakdown of the figures from $61 516, 65 against the revised $36 599,65. Revelations Auctioneers continued holding onto the property demanding storage fees first.

In a letter to Chitungwiza Municipality, the auctioneers demanded $61 516,65 for costs covering the Sheriff and commission, locksmith and auctioneers (storage collection and advertising).

“We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 13, 2017 and we wish to advise that we shall comply and release the property of the defendant,” read the letter written by the auctioneers. “However, please be advised that there are costs to be met subject to the issuance of the release note.” On September 19, Chitungwiza Municipality, through its lawyers Matsikidze and Mucheche, wrote to the Sheriff explaining that Revelations Auctioneers had refused to release the property.

“Our client went to Revelations Auctioneers and was granted partial release of the goods removed,” wrote the municipality. “Revelations then engaged their attorneys who wrote to us and flatly said they will not release any vehicle to Chitungwiza unless the full payment was made.

“It is our client’s position that they will pay what is due, obviously in instalments, but in this case, the bill is just way too high as compared to other bills where the attachment was made. Revelations’ bill of $58 000 divided by the number of days when it was prepared would be about $10 000 per day.” The council lawyers requested for a breakdown, but nothing was provided.

“Further, we are told that the bill of $58 000 was tasked by your office, yet when we asked on Friday (September 1) it was not,” said the lawyers. “Our client believes Revelations is your agent and, therefore, you should help to resolve the issue by ensuring that the bill charged is not contrary to logic and public policy.”

After the complaint, the Sheriff wrote to council a different letter of the revised costs. The revised costs amounted to $36 599,65.