Jai sues Black Missionaries over debt

That’s the way the cookie crumbles. What has previously been the biggest force in the music industry has come to an end.

Jai Banda and Black Missionaries, the once formidable promoter/musician partnership that has entertained the country on more occasions than anyone can remember, has come under irrevocable strain forcing the music promoter to drag the musicians to court for a K733 000 (US$1 749) debt.

But the Chileka-based band has hit back, claiming Jai’s court action is motivated by jealousy.

According to a statement of claim from the Chief Resident Magistrate court sitting in Blantyre, the Black Missionaries have been borrowing sound equipment from Jai.

However, from March this year, the band has not been paying the full cost of using the equipment.

In the summon, made to the court by Jai’s legal representative Julius Nyambo on November 11 2013, the band used Jai’s equipment 11 times at a cost of over K1million but the band only paid part of the sum.

The court documents indicate that the two parties were supposed to meet in court on December 12 but the Black Missionaries did turn up and in a default judgement, the court ordered them to settle the debt within 14 days.

“No intention to defend having been shown and/or defence having been served within the prescribed period it is this day adjudged that the defendant do pay the plaintiff,” reads the judgement.

While sounding at ease, Black Missionaries band leader Anjiru Fumulani admitted being served with the summon, but said the summon is a product of jealous on the part of Jai since the group has now acquired its own equipment.

He however, dismissed the amount, saying the figures have been manipulated to punish them.

“We received the court summons, but I cannot say anything as of now because we have not discussed the issue as a band. We will be professional and we will make sure the issue is resolved amicably because we believe in preserving our reputation,” said Anjiru, adding that they believe there is a motive to pull them down.