Mwonzora kicked out over rent arrears

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Office furniture seized over US3,750 in unpaid rental bills

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance leader Douglas Mwonzora’s law firm, Mwonzora and Associates, recently had its property seized in Belvedere over unpaid rentals totaling US$3,750.

According to the H-Metro tabloid newspaper, the debt accumulated from July to September this year.

Property owner Simon Denhere issued Mwonzora with a summons on September 19, demanding payment. Denhere then successfully applied for leave to attach Mwonzora’s property without notice, citing Section 34 of the Magistrate Court Act.

The attached property includes office furniture, computers, printers, and a generator. Mwonzora faces eviction from the premises at 44 Eastcourt Road, Belvedere, Harare. He must also pay US$1,250 in holding over damages to retain his property.

In response, Mwonzora has filed an urgent chamber application to discharge Section 34 of the Magistrate Court Act. The matter is set for hearing.

Mwonzora is arguing that the ex parte application was unnecessary and that the removal of property, including client case files, was unjustified.

Mwonzora grabbed the MDC Alliance party in 2020, allegedly through the help of the state. He was later accused by his colleagues of taking all the money from the Political Parties Finance Act.

Nelson Chamisa, who was the leader of MDC Alliance before Mwonzora, grabbed it, formed a new political party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), in January 2022 ahead of by-elections in March.

Mwonzora’s party failed to field candidates in that plebiscite. The prominent lawyer is often described as the undertaker of MDC Alliance who presided over its “political death”.