KWEKWE — A mining company owned by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s younger brother had its property seized by the Deputy Sheriff over outstanding pension contributions to the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).
Report by Blessed Mhlanga
Bithedale Mining, owned by Casper Tsvangirai, owes NSSA $12 391,07 in outstanding pension contributions and insurance premiums, which were due in November 2011.
Tsvangirai’s property was due to go under the hammer on June 14, but was saved at the last minute when he struck a deal with NSSA lawyers Danziger and Partners allowing him time to settle the debt.
NSSA through its lawyers obtained a Harare High Court judgment (HC7051-11) to have property belonging to the company attached and auctioned by the Deputy Sheriff to settle the debt. The Kwekwe Deputy Sheriff Energy Pedzera last month attached an Ajax Leath machine, Yam Leath machine, power saw and a Cat Dump Truck, which property is still being held by the Deputy Sheriff and will go under the hammer if the debt is not settled.
The judgment issued on February 20, lists part of the debt as $6 355,02 outstanding pension contributions, $2 389,43 surcharge on outstanding contributions, $2 578,54 outstanding insurance premiums and $1 068,08 late payment penalties. In a letter dated June 7, NSSA lawyers instructed the Deputy Sheriff to stop the auction, but to continue holding Tsvangirai’s property until the debt was cleared.
“Please hold the auction on Bithedale Mining property, but it should remain attached until such a time the entire capital debt is cleared,” part of the letter reads.
This is not the first time Tsvangirai has had property attached over debts. In 2012 TN Bank swooped on his property and attached cars and fixed assets over a loan which the chrome miner had failed to settle.
