A war of words has erupted between Le Bau Flats’ management in Tsumeb and a would-be-tenant, Jean-Francois Gahutu, following an alleged breach of contract by the landlord, on the basis of racism.

“I approached Le Bau Flats to provide me with accommodation,  but they told me there are no rooms. They placed me on a waiting-list, but luckily one of the potential tenants did not want to take the room anymore. The management requested me to sign the contract given to me by a certain Grace, who told me to pay a deposit of N$3 050 in order to reserve the room,” Gahutu told Informanté.

He complained that when he came to occupy the room on 2 July, he found that the room had been given to another person. The management allegedly told him that he was late with payment, despite the deadline for paying being the 7th of each month and his deposit was paid on June 14.

“Now I believe this was a racial issue prompted by the arrogant attitudes of whites. Why was I not allowed to occupy the room? Why did they accept my money and keep it if they knew that I am not welcome, due to reasons known to them? Gahutu is convinced  that the room was given to someone else on the basis of skin colour.

Le Bau Flats’ owner, George Leon Le Roux, a farmer in Omaruru, described Gahutu’s accusations as “absolute bull..t”  which should be rejected with the contempt it deserves.

“I am not a racist. Why should I practice racism when there are lots of black people working for me, including the manager of the flats in question? Talk to the lady in charge of the flats. She will be in a better position to tell you what exactly happened,” he said briefly.

Grace Kaluvi, the Manager of Le Bau Flats told Informanté that Gahutu, who was later refunded, only paid a deposit, but failed to pay rental on time and when he was reminded through sms, he threatened to sue her.

“Gahutu did not only refuse to give his identification number, but also insulted and threatened to sue us when I reminded him three days in advance to pay up. Since then we gave the room away to another person. Although the person who took over is white, there is no racism involved. It is a matter of being able to pay on time, because we are in the business of making money,” Kaluvi explained.