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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
The High Court has ordered the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to pay $77 600 to a stationery supplier for jumbo envelopes used in the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections.

Century Technology Pvt (Ltd) took ZEC to court seeking payment of $147 000 for the envelopes it supplied the electoral body.

In papers submitted to the High Court, Century Technology (Pvt) Ltd claims ZEC failed to pay for the envelopes despite numerous demands.

Justice Happias Zhou granted the reduced claim of $77 600 with the consent of the parties.

According to an order granted on June 15, ZEC will settle the amount in instalments over three months, with the first payment of $25 866 due on or before June 30, 2015.

The second and last payments of equivalent amounts would be made on July 31 and August 30, 2015 respectively.

“Should the defendant default on payment, the entire amount shall become due and payable. Each party bears its own costs,” said Justice Zhou.

In the claim, Century Technology argued that it delivered envelopes worth $51 000 on July 29,2013 and another batch worth $96 000 on August 7, 2013.

ZEC was to pay in full as per the invoice. But in breach of the agreement, ZEC refused to pay the company a total of $147 000.

According to the summons, sometime in 2013, ZEC and Century Technology entered into a contract of sale in which the firm would supply the electoral commission with jumbo envelopes and tents to be used during the elections.

The firm, represented by Mr Harrison Nkomo of Mhishi Legal Practitioners, contended that in January this year, ZEC acknowledged its indebtedness by way of a letter to the company.

The company had in its claim sought interest at the prescribed rate from date of judgment until full payment, arguing the breach of contract had occasioned an excessive loss.