Call for suspension of litigation against companies

Sithandazile Moyo Business Reporter
BUSINESS Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe is calling for the suspension of litigation against companies so that they focus on increasing production and be able to pay off their debts.In a statement, Business Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe secretary for Bulawayo Province Reggies Sibanda said a number of companies were not doing well because they spend most of their time in courts instead of focusing on their core businesses.

“Most companies in Bulawayo are not performing well and their core business at the moment is litigation that is instituted by their once business associates,” he said.

Sibanda said the lawyers’ businesses were booming because they were taking advantage of the litigation cases to overcharge companies.
“The lawyers’ businesses are booming because some of them are either charging well above the stipulated rates by their governing bodies,” he said.

Sibanda said the number of companies that were facing litigation was “very” high hence there was a need for an urgent intervention.
“The number of companies that are facing litigation calls for an alarm and a red flag must be raised because this cannot be normal and endorsed as normal practice,” said Sibanda.

He said it was important that companies were given breathing space so that they try to work on keeping the companies afloat and contribute to the economy.

“What is happening to the businesses in Bulawayo should be declared an ‘outbreak’ and the Law Society of Zimbabwe must convene a meeting with their member lawyers so as to give the businesses a breathing space. The economy is stressed and the businesses are choked and if businesses are not afforded a chance to breathe, they will then die,” said Sibanda.