When the two former business partners fell out Wadyajena initially filed a $7 million lawsuit against Tagwirei. However, while the case was still pending at the Supreme Court, Tagwirei is alleged to have approached Mnangagwa, who was a vice president then, to mediate. As a result of Mnangagwa’s efforts, the two came to an agreement in which the Supreme Court appeal was withdrawn in return for Wadyajena receiving $2, 6 million. Tagwirei later paid Wadyejena $616 334 but reneged on paying the remaining $2 million resulting in Wadyejena’s latest lawsuit.
Tagwirei is refusing to pay the $2 million and has challenged the lawsuit saying that he had entered into the agreement under duress as there were threats of extortion. Part of Tagwirei’s response reads,
Whilst the fact of the purported agreement is conceded, defendants aver that the agreement was entered into as a direct result and only because of threats of extortion.
The contract was illegal and void, or alternatively voidable – a product of extortion and or duress.
However, Wadyajena is disputing that there was any extortion and has told the court that the president is willing to come to court and to give evidence of his mediation efforts and the subsequent verbal contract.
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