Seed Co has taken former Finance deputy minister and Zanu PF Mutoko South legislator, David Chapfika, to the High Court, seeking to recover over $18 000 after he allegedly failed to supply maize seed after receiving inputs from the seed producer.
Source: Seed Co sues Chapfika over maize seed – NewsDay Zimbabwe August 20, 2016
BY CHARLES LAITON
According to Seed Co Zimbabwe, sometime in 2013, Chapfika, who is a farmer, allegedly agreed to produce hybrid seed maize exclusively for Seed Co at his farm, located on the outskirts of Harare along Shamva Road.
“Pursuant to the agreement, plaintiff (Seed Co) supplied and delivered the agricultural inputs to the defendant (Chapfika) in the cumulative sum of $18 085 34. Suffice to state, defendant failed and/or neglected to deliver to plaintiff the seed crop equivalent to the above sum.”
In its declaration attached to the summons under case number HC8085/16, Seed Co said sometime in October 2013, it entered into an agreement with Chapfika, where it agreed to supply agricultural inputs, including seed, crop chemicals and fertiliser to Chapfika, who was to grow the hybrid seed maize on behalf of the firm.
“In terms of the agreement, defendant (Chapfika) undertook to pay the value of all inputs issued by delivery of his seed crop to the plaintiff (Seed Co), at an agreed value on or before October 30, 2014 so as to offset the cost of the inputs supplied,” Seed Co said.
“In the event that the defendant failed for whatever reason to deliver to plaintiff, the seed crop in terms of the agreement by the due date, the defendant would be liable for payment of the amount of the input advanced with interest.”
However, in breach of his undertaking, Seed Co said Chapfika had, despite demand, failed and/or neglected to deliver the certified hybrid seed maize produce as agreed in the contract.
Chapfika has not yet entered an appearance to defend notice and the matter is pending at the High Court.
Chapfika is the chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development and former chairperson of the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board.
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