adminSenior Reporter
A bid by nine construction companies to stop construction at the Zimbabwe Diamond Technology Centre in Mt Hampden over a US$4,8 million debt has hit a snag after the High Court dismissed the group’s urgent interdict application last week. Construction had stopped pending determination of the application in which the nine firms are claiming payments.
Last month, a local weekly quoted ZDTC boss Mr Lovemore Kurotwi as saying construction had resumed.
Work on the site stopped following a dispute with nine companies. These comprised a technical team of builders, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and suppliers of goods and services.
They worked at the site for about a year but stopped citing non-payment for services and goods.
Pending determination of the main application, the nine companies wanted to bar construction arguing that this would destroy evidence relevant to the main case.
In the main application, Kenmark Builders is suing for US$1,6 million while Studio Arts Incorporated is claiming US$1,2 million. NMC Consulting Engineers is claiming US$593 254, Craftview Consultants Private Limited wants US$404 987, Vanguard Engineering Services seeks US$442 199, Ncube Burrow (Pvt) Ltd is suing for US$287 787, Producan Investments Pvt Ltd says it is owed US$65 482, while Pherosteel (Pvt) Ltd is demanding US$123 494.
When the companies read Mr Kurotwi saying construction resumed last month, the companies filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court to stop work. Dondo and Partners represented the companies, while Mr Tinashe Tanyanyiwa defended ZDTC and SM Builders.
Justice Joseph Mafusire, who heard the application, ruled in favour of ZDTC and SM Builders.
Online Reporter