Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A HARARE magistrate has heard that Horizon Leaf Tobacco Company lost more than US$51 000 in a botched contract farming deal involving a local farmer.
Oosthuizen Jannie Lourence (46), who appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo, was granted US$500 bail. He was ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and to return to court on May 5.
The court heard that in November 2025, Lourence approached the company seeking to enter into a contract farming agreement.
A company representative later visited his farm in Trelawney, Banket, for assessment, where they observed a promising tobacco crop at various stages of growth.
Following the assessment, the company entered into a contract with Lourence and promised to supply the required farming inputs, which were delivered to the farm.
However, when the tobacco selling season opened in mid-February 2026, Lourence allegedly failed to deliver the crop to the company as agreed.
Instead, he reportedly sent a letter through his lawyers claiming that his farm and crop had been seized by his debtors.
The State alleges that his actions resulted in an actual loss to the company of US$51 020, with nothing having been recovered to date.
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
