H-Metro Reporter
A TENANT, who promised his former landlord that he would bury him in a social media blitz after a row over the reimbursement of a deposit he had paid for an apartment in Harare, has been arrested for cyber bulling.
Martin Mtandi has been bombarding his ex-landlord McDonald Togara with threats and false accusations on social media.
He also bombarded the landlord’s employers with a cocktail of falsehoods.
Mtandi used to rent an apartment belonging to Togara at Sentosa Gardens in Mabelreign, Harare.
On October 17, Mtandi advised Togara that he would be moving out of the apartment because he needed a bigger one for his growing family.
“Just wanted to let you know that I’ll be moving out at the end of this month,” he advised Togara, through a text message.
“Family is growing and the wife requested a bigger apartment. Let me know how I can help to make this transition as smooth as possible.”
Togara could not get a tenant for the whole of November and, since Mtandi had given him very short notice and, as per their agreement, he did not give him back his deposit.
“That particular flat is mine and check our lease,” Togara advised Mtandi in a text.
“It was a short notice and the while of November I could not get a tenant. So, because of that short notice, I am not able to give you your deposit back as it covers for rental loss and the short notice, not even mentioning the damages.
“Please can you also write a letter to your lawyer and you attach a lease agreement and I will respond to you through the same channel.”
This angered Mtandi who then went on a blitz on social media attacking Togara.
He posted on the ‘Name & Shame Them (Zim)’ social media page rubbishing Togara as a questionable individual.
“We now have Pam Golding Properties Zimbabwe agents taking advantage of tenants.
“One of their agents McDonald Togara has a record of inflating the repair costs so that he can pocket the money.
“He has denied paying out Sentosa Gardens tenants their deposit when they move out and this has been happening for a while now.”
Mtandi knew that what he was posting was not true.
Togara reported to the police that his name was being soiled for no apparent reason on social media.
Mtandi is said to have even asked for forgiveness when it dawned on him that he could have committed a serious crime.
“He was also deleting some of the posts.”