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The Zimbabwe Government had failed to settle a loan advanced to Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Co Ltd by the bank following an agreement on January 29, 1998.

KFW Bankengruppe then obtained a writ of execution against six Government properties in South Africa after failing to get payment on the loan.

The Government challenged the attachment and South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, ruled that only one property that was being occupied by a South African through a lease was found to be ineligible for protection under the diplomatic immunity.

The other five properties were removed from attachment.

The property — which does not fall within the ambit of diplomatic immunity — is situated at Number 28 Salisbury Road, Wynberg.

Deputy Attorney-General Advocate Prince Machaya yesterday told The Herald that the Government had since instructed its South Africa-based lawyers to appeal against the decision authorising the attachment of Number 28 Salisbury Road.

On November 22 this year, the South Gauteng High Court granted an application by the Zimbabwean Government saying the procedure adopted in the attachment of the five immovable properties in Western Cape and Johannesburg was irregular.

Judge CG Lamont ordered the bank — KFW Banken-gruppe — to pay legal costs incurred by Zimbabwe.-The Herald