ZAMTEL has sued Kabushi PF member of parliament Bowman Lusambo for failure to settle K590,000 rentals for a house in Ndola.
According to originating summons filed in the Lusaka High Court, seen by #Mwebantu.
Zamtel stated that Lusambo has become a problematic tenant and that the company does not want him to continue as its tenant.
The company stated that the K590,000 rentals it is demanding from Lusambo as at
October 31, 2021 is exclusive of withholding tax.
Zamtel stated that Lusambo has neglected to pay the money despite several reminders.
Zamtel human resource operations manager Henry Lungu explained that Zamtel and Lusambo entered into a lease agreement with effect from December 1, 2016 for its property known as house no.68 Kabelenga road Ndola.
He stated that it was was agreed that Lusambo would paying K10,000 monthly rentals exclusive of withholding tax.
The parties also agreed that Lusambo could carry out repair works on the house, which were ordinarily the responsibility of Zamtel as landlord but with prior written approval.
Zamtel stated that the company repaired the house and it was in a habitable state when Lusambo took possession.
But Lungu stated that Lusambo commenced personal renovations to the leased property, without Zamtel’s prior written approval.
He stated that Lusambo spent K2,050,327.08 which he requested that it should be credited to his rental account.
Lusambo also requested that the house be sold to him as he had invested personal money in rehabilitating it but he was advised that it was not visible.
Lungu stated that Lusambo was notified that the house was not for sale and that in any event, there was a laid down procedure for the sale of government assets or assets in which government had an interest and that the direct offer to him would be deemed illegal.
“From the time the respondent took occupancy of the house, the respondent has never paid any rent despite all efforts by the applicant to collect rentals from him,” stated Lungu.