Bank struggles to recover loan from fugitive Pamela Gondwe

Bank struggles to recover loan from fugitive Pamela Gondwe

By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA

ABSA Bank Zambia Plc has applied for leave to serve court documents on its former employee Pamela Gondwe, who it has sued for non-payment of a housing loan facility amounting to over K200, 000, by way of an advertisement in the newspaper as her whereabouts are not known.

In June of 2019, Ms Gondwe made headlines after she allegedly bolted   with US$400, 000 belonging to Absa (formerly Barclays bank). Since then the banker has never been seen.

However, on September 17, this year, Absa filed a lawsuit against  Gondwedemanding payment of a housing loan facility in the sum of K271, 102.69 which she obtained in 2010 or alternatively an order for foreclosure, possession and sale of subdivision no.2260 of Lot no.1052/M Lusaka.  

In an application for an order for leave to serve by way of substituted service, Absa bank head of Collections and Recoveries Nabulanga Ntalasha , stated that their lawyers attempted to serve the originating process on Ms Gondwe at her last known address of house no. P12/5C7, Kafue Estates,  she no longer resides at the said house   and   her whereabouts remain unknown.

“It has become necessary to serve the originating process on the respondent by way of substitution by advertising the court process in a newspaper with wide circulation in the Republic of Zambia,” she stated.

In its originating summons, the bank agreed to advance to Ms Gondwe a housing loan facility in the sum of K240, 000 together with interest.

According to the term of the facility agreement, Absa would liquidate the advance sum together with interest 240 consecutive monthly instalments spanning a period of 20 years until June 21, 2030.

However, Ms Gondwe has defaulted despite several reminders and is owing her employer, K271, 102.64.