A Lusaka money lender has dragged a medical doctor to court for failing to pay back K74,375 accrued interest and loan saying she has suffered financial loss and damages as a result.

According to a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High court, April 20, Natasha Chikonde borrowed K49,800 from Chama Chilambe on agreement that the repayment be made within 30 days, plus interest of 25 percent, a plan which is locally referred to as kaloba.

This was by a written agreement made on July 6, 2017.

Chilambe stated that Chikonde was to pay back a total amount of K62,250, but by August 6, 2017, she had only paid K12,250 as interest leaving an unsettled balance of K50,000.

She stated that in September 2017, she reminded Chikonde that she would charge her 50 percent interest on the remaining balance to make it K75,000 if the debt was not fully settled by December 31, 2017.

Chilambe further stated that in October 2017, Chikonde gave her goods worth K22,500 as part of the payment and later paid K10,000 in the same month resulting in the outstanding balance of K42,500 which had not been settled to date.

“The Plaintiff shall further aver that up to date the said outstanding balance of K42,500 plus 25 percent monthly interest as per agreement has not been settled or paid by the Defendant with effective from December 31, 2017 to date. The Plaintiff shall further aver that 25 percent interest of K42,500 from December 31, 2017 to date is equivalent to K31,875. When added to the principle amount gives a total sum of K74,375,” read the statement.

“By the September 2017, the plaintiff reminded the defendant that she would charge her 50 percent interest (instead of 25 percent x 4=100 percent interest for four months as per earlier agreement) on the remaining balance to make it K75,000 in total if the debt was to be fully settled by December 31, 2017 of which was agreed by the Defendant. By October 4, 2017, the plaintiff was given goods worth K22,500 by the Defendant as part payment of the loan and later paid K10,000 in the same month resulting in the balance unsettled of K42,500.”

She further explained that 25 percent interest of K42,500 from December 31, 2017 to date was equivalent to K31,875, which when added to the principle amount gave a total sum of K74,375.

“The Plaintiff shall further aver that up to date the said outstanding balance of K42,500 plus 25 percent monthly interest as per agreement has not been settled or paid by the Defendant with effective from December 31, 2017 to date. The Plaintiff shall further aver that 25 percent interest of K42,500 from December 31, 2017 to date is equivalent to K31,875. When added to the principle amount gives a total sum of K74,375.”

Chilambe noted that despite numerous reminders for Chikonde to make payments of the monies due, the defendant had failed to fulfill the promise.

She stated that she had been inconvenienced by Chikonde’s actions and had suffered financial loss and damages.

Chilambe has therefore asked the court to order Chikonde to pay K74,375 accrued interest and the principle monies borrowed, damages for Breach of Contract, Costs, interest on damages to be assessed and any other relief the court may deem fit.