THE High Court has ordered Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Mandiitawepi Chimene to pay a$46 000 debt to Windmill (Private) Limited for fertilisers, seeds and chemicals supplied by the firm in 2011.
BY CHARLES LAITON
According to court papers, Chimene, who apparently failed to defend herself, is said to have entered into an agreement with Windmill in 2011, where she was supplied with fertilisers worth $42 124, which she failed to pay for.
Under the agreement, Chimene pledged to pay the bill in 90 days after receiving the farming inputs, but failed to do so, prompting the firm to take legal action three years ago.
High Court judge Justice November Mtshiya recently presided over the matter after the fertiliser company applied for a default judgment following the minister’s failure to respond to the summons.
“Application for default judgment be and is hereby granted. The defendant (Chimene) shall pay to the plaintiff (Windmill) the sum of $46 384, 97,” Justice Mtshiya said.
Part of the summons served to the minister read: “As of to date, the defendant has accumulated total interest of $4 260,97, calculated at 5% per annum for the agricultural inputs and 10% for the seed supplied.
“Despite demand, the defendant has failed and/or refused and/or neglected to pay the plaintiff the outstanding amount . . .” The company was represented by its lawyers from Scanlen & Holderness.
