Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A Harare magistrate has issued a warrant of arrest against a businesswoman, Wenjing Cao, also known as Vicky, after she failed to appear in court to answer to contempt of court charges.
Magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo granted the warrant after Cao, who had been subpoenaed, did not attend the proceedings without explanation.
The case stems from a fallout between Cao and her business partner, Yuxin Zhang, also known as Jessie, with whom she jointly owns Melon Bay Trading, the company operating Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Bar in Harare.
Zhang has since written to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner Stephen Mutamba, expressing concern over what she alleges is Cao’s continued disregard of court processes and possible collusion with some law enforcement officers.
According to court papers, Zhang and Cao are equal shareholders and directors in Melon Bay Trading, each holding a 50% stake.
The company operates from premises at Number 31 Fleetwood Road, which are owned by Zhang’s family trust, HNZ Family Trust.
It is alleged that the business was supposed to remit rental payments to JC Delonix (Pvt) Ltd on behalf of the property owners, but Zhang claims the funds were collected and not passed on to the trust.
Zhang further alleges that a VIP conference room, which had been a revenue-generating facility for the business, was converted into a private office without her consent or a board resolution.
The dispute between the two partners has since escalated, spilling into both criminal and civil courts, with multiple matters currently before the Judiciary.
