Mashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
ONE of the country’s elite schools, Falcon College, has taken a Harare couple to court for allegedly failing to settle a debt of $21,000 in outstanding fees and levies. The couple, from Marlborough East in the capital, has a child who is a pupil at the prestigious school located in Esigodini. Falcon College Trust has filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Charles Mazorodze and his wife as the defendants.
The school, through its lawyers, Coghlan and Welsh, accuses Mazorodze of breaching the terms of contract by failing to pay the money which amounts to $21,034,30.
“The defendants’ child is enrolled at Falcon College and in terms of the school policy, terms and conditions, the defendants are obliged to pay full college fees, levies and other charges every term in advance or before the first day of each term,” said the Falcon College lawyers.
“Failure to do so obligate the defendants to pay a full term’s fees and charges in lieu of such notice,” said the lawyers.
In papers before the court, on February 11, 2014, the couple undertook to pay $1,500 per month but failed to do so. The couple also allegedly ceded its property as security for payment.
“On May 13, 2015, the defendants signed an acknowledgment of debt for $16,332,95 owed and accepted liability for all monies due to plaintiff. In breach of the contract the defendants owe the plaintiff a sum of $21,034,30 and despite demand, the defendants have refused, ignored or neglected to pay the money,” said the Falcon College lawyers.
The school wants an order compelling Mazorodze to pay the money at a prescribed interest rate calculated from the date of service of summons to the date of full and final payment as well as the legal costs.
Mazorodze has not yet filed a notice to enter an appearance to defend the summons.
Falcon College was recently in the news for allegedly demanding collateral from parents failing to raise school fees in time for the start of the new term.
The school demands anything as collateral as long as its value is equivalent to the money owed and the property may be sold if the debt is not settled
The school’s fees are pegged at $4,100 per term.