January 2012 Volume 39, Crime and Courts
Messenger of court to attach Tsvangirai's property
A ZIMBABWE court has approved legal confiscation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s property for failing to pay a fine imposed on him by a chief for allegedly marrying Ms Locadia Karimatsenga Tembo during a sacred month.
Chief Negomo, Mr Luscious Chitsinde, obtained a court confirmation to attach the Prime Minister's property after he failed to pay the fine.
PM Tsvangirai customarily married Ms Locadia Karimatsenga Tembo in November last year, resulting in Chief Negomo summoning him to his court.
The chief registered his judgment with the Bindura Magistrates' Courts and the provincial magistrate endorsed it on December 30 last year.
The confirmation means Chief Negomo's judgment now belongs to the Bindura magistrate.
Chief Negomo will now have to instruct the Messenger of Court or the Deputy Sheriff to attach the PM's property.
The Messenger of Court or the Deputy Sheriff will then seek a writ of execution from the courts after which they can proceed and attach the property.
Chief Negomo said he will soon attach the PM's property and that of his in-laws.
This follows the lapse of 30 days within which the two families were supposed to pay the fines.
"Both families (Tsvangirai and Karimatsenga) were found guilty, but up to now they have not yet paid the fines," he said.
"We were waiting for these court papers and since we now have them, very soon we will attach their property," he said.
"I am going to sit with my aides and agree on the dates as and when we should go and attach the property."
Traditionally, Chief Negomo said, it was taboo for one to marry in November.
Chief Negomo summoned PM Tsvangirai and his in-laws to his court to answer to charges of disrespecting traditional values.
PM Tsvangirai was ordered to pay two cattle, two sheep, 10 metres of white cloth and a ball of snuff to appease the spirits.
The judgment was passed in default after the PM failed to attend the court session.
PM Tsvangirai wrote a letter through his lawyers telling Chief Negomo that the traditional leader had no jurisdiction over him.
But, another letter written by the PM's young brother Manasa said the PM could not attend the court because of other commitments.
He said the court should proceed in his absence.
Although the judgment was forwarded to him, PM Tsvangirai did not pay the fine, prompting Chief Negomo to move the process of attaching his property.
