Joice Mujuru’s farm equipment saved from auction over US$226k debt

Former Vice President Joice Mujuru’s farm property has been saved from sale via auction over a US$226,000 debt after the creditor’s lawyers wrote to the Sheriff of the High Court. 

“Further to our previous communications and instructions for you to execute against the attached Property.

“We are instructed to instruct you to stay and hold the execution and the sale which was scheduled for tomorrow the 16th day of June 2023 at 11am, at Ruzambu Farm, Beatrice.

“We kindly request that you furnish us with your bill for your attendances so far.

“However, please note that the property still remains under judicial attachment, and we will give you further instructions,” wrote the lawyers.

The background to the case is that Mujuru through her company Ruzirun Investments in 2015 bought agricultural machinery from Peppy Motors owned by Sabrina and Tony Sarpo.

The debt had also accumulated interest and legal fees over the years.

Targeted for auction were tractors, generators, planters, water pumps, tobacco modoros, a combine harvester, a cold room unit set and four zimatic centre pivots.

Mujuru apparently tried to pay the debt in RTGS dollars at the rate of 1:1, but the Sarpos argued that the payment should be at the prevailing interbank rate.

The Supreme Court ordered Mujuru to pay the debt in US dollars following a successful appeal by the Sarpos.