Man who ate and slept at Serena Hotel without paying Sh21 million bill set free
What you need to know:
- The Kariakoo Lower Division Court ruled today, May 15, 2024, that his case is a civil matter, not a criminal one.
Dar es Salaam. A businessman, Denis Mfumbulwa (44), who allegedly ate and slept at Serena Hotel for several days without paying his bills, has been released.
The Kariakoo Lower Division Court ruled today, May 15, 2024, that his case is a civil matter, not a criminal one.
The prosecution alleged that Mfumbulwa accrued a bill of Sh21.4 million (US$9,300) for his stay at the hotel between March 6, 2022, and March 28, 2024, and then disappeared without paying.
However, after Mfumbulwa admitted to the charges, Magistrate Gladness Njau determined the case lacked sufficient evidence to constitute a criminal offense.
"This case lacks direct criminal evidence," stated Magistrate Njau. "Therefore, the court releases the defendant."
Njau further advised the complainant, Desdery Dotto, to pursue the matter through a civil lawsuit if he wished to recover the funds.
Dotto, the Serena Hotel's Customer Relations Manager, confirmed his intention to file a civil suit after receiving a copy of the court's ruling.
"I will be filing a civil suit to recover what is rightfully mine," Dotto said. "I'm waiting for a copy of the judgment to proceed."
