Bailiffs seize FINDECO House

Tue, 02 May 2017 09:38:06 +0000

…as tenants are given a 30-day ultimatum to vacate the premises

By BENNIE MUNDANDO

BAILIFFS have seized Zambia’s tallest building, FINDECO House, and tenants have been warned to pay up rentals to the new owners for the month of May or vacate the premises.

According to a notice given to all tenants by Masauso Banda, debt collectors and certified bailiffs dated April 28, 2017, tenants have been given a 30-day ultimatum to vacate the premises before disposing it off.

FINDECO House is owned by Government through the former parastatal holding company ZIMCO Limited.

“The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the property in question (FINDECO) House is now vested into the hands of the plaintiffs by virtue of the writ of possession dated April 7, 2017, and by judgement dated November 9, 2016.

“The sheriff’s office is at present throwing out all goods and chattels of all occupants (except Zanaco) in the building in order to keep the entire building vacant with the purpose of enabling us pave way for the disposal of the same,” reads the notice in part.

However, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development Ronald Chitotela said he was not aware of the impending eviction of tenants from FINDECO House by bailiffs on account that the premises had been seized from ZIMCO Limited, saying the matter has been referred back to court.

But the notice from the bailiffs further warns:

“Tenants are advised that as agents of the plaintiffs to this matter, our interest is to protect the plaintiffs’ interest as per the court directives and are not in any way getting involved with previous transactions or claims or liability incidental to the dealings on this building or whoever or whatsoever was dealing with this building.

“All previous agents or individuals or persons handling this building cease forthwith upon possession of this property.”

The bailiffs, who are acting on litigation in which the law firm of former solicitor general Musa Mwenye had sued ZIMCO Limited, threatened to remove all the tenants who were not agreeable to its terms and conditions and only extended an olive branch to those who would oblige to deposit money in its client’s account by the close of business on April 28, 2017.

“As agents of the plaintiffs, we are ready to keep those agents that are willing to deposit or pay a monthly rental to cover the month of May 2017 and present to us a deposit slip by 14:00 hours today, April 28, 2017 as deadline or office space will get repossessed by the sheriffs currently within the building

“As agents, we are not taking over any leases or agreements but this is just a gesture given by the plaintiffs to those willing to stay while waiting for the sale of the property,” reads the notice.

But when contacted for a comment, Mr. Chitotela said he could not comment further than confirming that he was not aware of any eviction of tenants at FINDECO House because the issue had been taken back to court.

“There is no such a thing as tenants being removed from FINDECO House. I am not aware of anything like that. All I know is that the issue has been taken back to court and I cannot comment on an issue which is before the courts of law,” Mr. Chitotela said.