HARARE - A South African mining supplier has filed a lawsuit against RioZim Limited (RioZim) over a R16 million debt.

The company Boltgas Industrial and Mining yesterday filed a High Court application demanding their outstanding payment from the listed resources group.

According to court papers, Boltgas sold some unidentified goods to RioZim and delivered them to Empress Nickel Refinery and Renco Mine.

The two parties held a meeting at RioZim’s offices in Harare on March 16, last year.

At the meeting RioZim allegedly agreed that they owed the South African firm R16 434 413,31, an amount outstanding in respect of the purchased goods.

RioZim allegedly signed an acknowledgement of debt on March 19, last year before promising to make the full payment on November 1.

According to court documents, RioZim only managed to pay R744 137,38 and failed to pay the remaining R15 690 275,93.

RioZim has however, disputed the claims made by the South African firm.

“Defendant (RioZim) admits that a meeting was held at its offices on March 16, 2012 and further admits that it signed an acknowledgement of debt on March 19.

“Defendant however, denies that the due date for the settlement of debt was November 1 as alleged by Plaintiff,” RioZim said in court papers.

The listed firm said the alleged outstanding amount owed to Boltgas was not the correct figure and that the South African company had not made a proper demand for the said money.

The matter was yesterday set for a pre-trial conference before Justice Felistas Chatukuta on March 14. - Tendai Kamhungira