The executor of the late Vice-President John Landa Nkomo’s estate has appealed against the attachment of the deceased’s bus to settle wages arrears at Astra Building Company, which the politician owned.
Christopher Dube-Banda, a legal representative, who is the executor of the estate, filed the appeal at the Bulawayo High Court recently.
The matter is yet to be set down for hearing. Sometime in December 2013, the Messenger of Court served a writ of execution, seized and attached a Mercedes Benz bus which was in the possession of Astra Building Centre.
This was in accordance with an arbitral award obtained in November 2013 for the payment by Nkomo’s Astra Building Centre of salary arrears.
Dube-Banda, the executor, however, holds that the property seized belongs to the estate of the late vice-president and not to Astra Building Centre.
In the notice of appeal, the executor notes that the court erred by holding that the late Nkomo was the managing director of the Astra Building Centre without evidence.
“The court a quo erred by holding that relevant documentary evidence demonstrates that the vehicle in question belongs to Astra Building Centre when the best evidence placed before court in form of the vehicle registration book shows that the vehicle is registered in the name of the late John Landa Nkomo,” stated the notice.
The salary dispute dates back as far as 2012, when there were reports that Nkomo’s Nathi Investments Group of companies had failed to pay workers, with some owed in excess of five months’ salary.
Nathi Investments Group that comprised of Astra Building Centre, Downtown Spar and Daguiar Tyres, all in Bulawayo and Kirton Farms, was owned and chaired by the late vice-president.
The group reportedly had over 180 workers. Prominent lawyer, Samuel Mulaudzi is representing the disgruntled workers. Zimbabwe Mail