THE battle for control of party provincial offices in Bulawayo between the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and the Douglas Mwonzora-led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has taken another twist after the latter had a court order granted in its favour.
The offices, which are located at number 41 Fort Street in the Central Business District have been subject to back-and-forth tussles between various factions of the opposition party.
At one point a faction linked to CCC’s former leader, Mr Nelson Chamisa took over the offices, painting them blue, a move that was opposed by a faction linked to the party’s interim secretary-general, Senator Sengezo Tshabangu who claimed they were the rightful owners of the property.
However, in the latest developments, the Bulawayo Magistrates Court has issued a warrant of ejectment and execution in favour of the Mwonzora-led MDC.
The CCC and Mr Chamisa, who were named first and second defendants respectively have also been ordered to pay holding over damages calculated at the rate of US$4 000 a month, with effect from January 2022 to the date of ejectment, which is 4 June this year.
This means the party will pay a total of US$117 000.
The order comes after Laphonic Enterprises (the owners of the property) and the MDC approached the court seeking to repossess the property from the CCC.
According to the warrant of ejectment and execution order sent to the messenger of court, the Bulawayo Magistrates Court ordered the defendants out of the property with immediate effect.
“The court ordered the payment by the defendants of the sum of US$1 500, payable in ZiG at the prevailing exchange rate as at the date of payment, as damages caused by the CCC and Nelson Chamisa to the Laphonic Enterprises (Private) Limited and the MDC property
“The court further ordered for the payment by the CCC and Nelson Chamisa of holding over damages, calculated at the rate of US$4 000 per month, payable in ZiG at the prevailing exchange rate with effect from January 2022 to the date of ejectment,” reads the warrant.
The court also gave an order interdicting the CCC and Mr Chamisa from trespassing at the property and for the payment by the defendants of interest at the rate of five percent per annum.
CCC and Mr Chamisa have further been ordered to pay the costs of the suit.
Sunday News visited the offices yesterday and observed that the building, which had been painted blue had been repainted red with the MDC banner and Douglas Mwonzora’s face pasted on it.
