Make Hay While The Sun Still Shines: Failure To Plan Leaves 70-year-old Man & His Family Homeless
The Chabayanzara family of Harare has been left in mourning after the sudden death of Merjury Jese Chabayanzara just days after being evicted from their company-provided home. According to reports, Merjury suffered a stroke after the eviction, and the family has been forced to stay on the roadside since then.
Brighton Chabayanzara, Merjury’s husband and a former driver for the company, worked for Irvine’s for 50 years and was provided with company accommodation as a benefit of his employment.
The company claims that, upon achieving the age of 70, it became clear to both parties that Brighton could no longer discharge his duties satisfactorily and that it was mutually agreed he should go on retirement with effect from October 1, 2022. His last day of employment was September 30 last year.
According to H-metro, the eviction summons were given to Brighton on January 12, 2023, but he failed to file a notice of appearance to defend within the stipulated seven-day period. An application for default judgment was filed on the company’s behalf on January 27, and the application was granted, resulting in the family’s eviction.
Melody, the family spokesperson, said they had nowhere to conduct a decent funeral for their mother and were trying to engage with the company, but they were refusing to entertain them. She also expressed concern about her father, who seems to be depressed.
The family is now appealing for help with Merjury’s burial, and Brighton’s future remains uncertain.