Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Self-proclaimed prophet and founder of House of Joy Ministries, Jackson Babi, who made headlines last year after being sentenced to ten years imprisonment for his involvement in rhino poaching, has once again found himself entangled in a legal battle.
This time, it’s not wildlife crimes that have brought him to court but rather a landlord-tenant dispute over unpaid rent.
Babi and his wife, Maria Babi, are currently facing legal action for allegedly failing to pay their rent, as revealed in particulars of a claim filed at the Windhoek High Court earlier this year.
They are accused of failing to pay their rent on a property located in Windhoek’s suburb Kleine Kuppe.
The alleged property was rented from the plaintiff Josua Kaukungwa, for a period of one year, beginning on April 1, 2020, and the rental agreement was later extended to 31 March 2021. With a monthly payment set at N$30,000.
Kaukungwa has filed a lawsuit against the man of the cloth and his wife seeking N$81 418.03 in damages.
According to the claims, following the expiration of the written lease agreement, the parties reportedly entered into an oral agreement extending the lease for an additional year, effective from 1 April 2021, to 31 March 2022.
However, it is alleged that the church couple defaulted on their monthly rental payments for November and December 2021, totalling N$42,602.36.
They are also accused of failing to pay N$38,815.67 in costs associated with the renovation of the rented property.
Last year Babi pleaded guilty to a litany of charges related to illegal rhino poaching.
The Gobabis Regional Court heard his admission of guilt on eleven criminal charges, which included illegally hunting specially protected game, theft, money laundering, racketeering and bribery.
Babi was accused of being involved in the poaching of a rhino cow and calf on a farm in the Gobabis district in May 2020.
Magistrate Eden Iyambo sentenced Babi to an effective 10-year prison term.
Additionally, he was ordered to pay a fine totalling N$370,000 or face an extended prison sentence of 17 years.
The charges against Babi also included illegally supplying a firearm and ammunition, as well as possessing rhino horns acquired through illegal means.
Babi was held in custody since the discovery of rhino horns at his home in the Kleine Kuppe in May 2020, with allegations involving a group of eight men, including a police officer.
