ONCE flamboyant Bulawayo businessman, Delma Lupepe, is allegedly refusing to vacate a rented residential property in the city despite failing to pay rentals for several months, Southern Eye on Sunday has established.
The property in question is located at Number 8, Bluebird Road, Burnside and is owned by Trebo and Khays (Private) Limited, a company linked to ZanuPF heavyweight Obert Mpofu.
Lupepe allegedly owes the property owner US$20,000 in unpaid rentals, which has been accruing since November last year.
The property has been the subject of contention after Lupepe allegedly refused to vacate the premises despite being served with an eviction notice.
A Bulawayo man, who recently signed a lease agreement to occupy the property has since failed to access the premises because of the raging dispute with Lupepe.
This publication caught up with Mthabisi Moyo, who has signed a lease agreement for the property effective November 1, 2024.
Moyo said he has been left without accommodation as Lupepe continues to occupy the house unlawfully.
“When I arrived at the house, I found Delma still inside, refusing to move out,” he said in an interview.
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“I explained that I had already paid for the lease and contacted the agent, who confirmed he owes them over $20,000 in rent arrears.”
According to the lease agreement, Trebo and Khays, the registered owner of the property, had leased the house to Moyo under a one-year contract beginning September 1, 2024, and terminating on September 30, 2025.
The agreement clearly states the tenant’s right to occupy the house during the lease period.
Frustrated by the impasse, Moyo resorted to blocking the gate with rubble to prevent Lupepe from entering or leaving the property.
When Southern Eye on Sunday visited the premises, they witnessed a heavy load of rubble surrounding the gate, effectively creating significant challenges for Lupepe to access the house.
“I’ve been paying rent for 19 days without staying in the house,” Moyo lamented.
“I had no choice, but to block the gate to inconvenience him.
“For now, the agent has arranged temporary accommodation for me while they resolve this issue.
“However, Delma has reported me to the police for placing the rubble, and I am scheduled to appear in court on Monday.”
Trebo and Khays confirmed that Lupepe had been issued an eviction notice over unpaid rentals.
“He has not been paying rent, and want to live rent free,” the official said.
The matter has now been referred to legal channels for resolution.
Lupepe on Friday professed ignorance about the matter when contacted for comment.
“I don’t know anything about that. I don’t stay at the address,” he curtly said.
In 2016, Lupepe was served with summons by property owner, Ecobank, on August 20 2016 under case number HC8031/16 over US$18 000 in rental arrears for a house he rented in Matsheumhlope low-density suburb.
In June 2018, Lupepe was sentenced to three months in prison after he missed the March 21 deadline he had been given to pay back US$280 000 he owed Ecobank.
In 2017, Nissi Global (Pvt) Ltd took Delma Lupepe to court for failing to pay back US$29 000 that he borrowed sometime in 2016.
In July 2013, the deputy sheriff attached three of Lupepe's houses, No 73 Heyman Road in Suburbs, 295 Colleen Road, Matsheumhlope — where his mother stayed — and a flat 1201, 12th Floor, Kenilworth, at Ascot.
The suburbs property and the flat were auctioned by Bulawayo Real Estate for a combined total of $108 000.
In July 2013, reports emerged that that the Registrar of Companies was contemplating de-listing Lupepe's companies such as Merspin
Merspin Limited was once Zimbabwe’s biggest towel manufacturer.
The court placed Merspin under judicial management after it accumulated debts amounting to US$6,3 million.
In 2011 he was taken to court by Old Mutual Property Investments Corporation over a $450 000 debt after his companies Zimbabwe Express Services Limited and Merspin failed to pay rentals.
