Joice Mujuru's Farm Equipment Auction over US$266k Debt Halted
In a letter, the lawyers instruct the auctioneers to stay and hold the execution and sale of the farm equipment. The letter reads:
“Further to our previous communications and instructions for you to execute against the attached Property.
“We are instructed to instruct you to stay and hold the execution and the sale which was scheduled for tomorrow the 16th day of June 2023 at 11am, at Ruzambu Farm, Beatrice.
“We kindly request that you furnish us with your bill for your attendances so far.
“However, please note that the property still remains under judicial attachment, and we will give you further instructions.
The background to the case is that Mujuru through her company Ruzirun Investments in 2015 bought agricultural machinery from Peppy Motors owned by Sabrina and Tony Sarpo.
The debt had also accumulated interest and legal fees over the years.
Targeted for auction were tractors, generators, planters, water pumps, tobacco modoros, a combine harvester, a cold room unit set and four zimatic centre pivots.
Mujuru apparently tried to pay the debt in RTGS dollars at the rate of 1:1, but the Sarpos argued that the payment should be at the prevailing interbank rate.
The Supreme Court ordered Mujuru to pay the debt in US dollars following a successful appeal by the Sarpos.
