Own Correspondent|FORMER Cabinet Minister, Supa Mandiwanzira has been ordered to pay a $297 598 debt to Westlake International Finance Limited incurred seven years ago in US Dollars or equivalent Zimbabwean dollars at the prevailing inter-bank rate at the time of payment.

The judgement is likely to cause confusion after he Supreme Court last week ruled that all debts incurred before February 22 last year must be settled in the local currency at a 1:1 rate against the US dollar in line with Statutory Instrument (SI) 33 of 2019.

The SI abolished the multi-currency regime and reintroduced the Zimbabwe dollar.

Chief Justice Luke Malaba made the landmark ruling in an appeal case involving Zambezi Gas Zimbabwe (Pvt) Limited against mining services provider N.R. Barber (Pvt) Ltd and the Sherriff of Zimbabwe.

Mandiwanzira’s debt arose after his firm Tarcon (Private) Ltd borrowed the funds from the finance company.

Mandiwanzira who is Zanu PF MP for Nyanga South, and Florence Erina Ziumbe, are respondents in the matter.

Ziumbe is the founder of PROWEB.

The matter was heard by High Court judge, Joseph Mafusire.

“You are required and directed to attach and take into execution the movable goods of Supa Collins Mandiwanzira of 7 Kenilworth Road, Highlands Harare and Florence Erina Ziumbe of 18 Fletcher Road Mt Pleasant, Harare the above mentioned defendants and of the same cause to be realised the sum of US$297 598 or its equivalent in Zimbabwean dollars at the interbank exchange rate applicable at the time of repayment,” reads part of the writ of execution.

According to court papers, Mandiwanzira and Ziumbe bound themselves as sureties and co-principal debtors to the loan but Tarcon failed to repay the full amount, forcing Westlake International Finance Limited to approach the court for recourse.

Mandiwanzira and Ziumbe had opposed the claim but the judge trashed their arguments.