Business award winner in trouble

NAMIBIA’S reigning Businesswoman of the Year, Maria Shivute, owner of Boutique Maria in Oshakati, has found her exclusive clothing store subject to a High Court sale in execution.

In a notice published on Friday, the High Court said eight display cabinets, four filing cabinets, a TV, fax, computer, 18 clothing racks and 90 pairs of shoes as well as a variety of other items from Boutique Maria would be sold on auction at Oshakati on February 26. Shivute allegedly owes a South African company, Lazkam Investments, N$43 446 for the supply of all the boutique’s fabrics.But Shivute yesterday told The Namibian that she was not aware of the pending sale in execution.Shivute acknowledged that Johannesburg-based Lazkam supplied her shop with material, but said an arrangement had been made in November 2003 to settle the debt.However, Lazkam Investments, headed by Fazila Khan, said they were not aware of the arrangement.Charles Lalla of Lazkam’s accounts department claimed problems with Shivute started in 2002.Lalla said his company had been supplying Boutique Maria with fabric since 1997, but that in 2002 he had received payment cheques which were not honoured by the bank.He said that the company sent a representative to Shivute who came back with two new cheques.The bank also sent these cheques back, he said.Shivute was chosen Businesswoman of the Year in October 2003 at an annual function hosted by the Namibia Economist.Shivute allegedly owes a South African company, Lazkam Investments, N$43 446 for the supply of all the boutique’s fabrics. But Shivute yesterday told The Namibian that she was not aware of the pending sale in execution. Shivute acknowledged that Johannesburg-based Lazkam supplied her shop with material, but said an arrangement had been made in November 2003 to settle the debt. However, Lazkam Investments, headed by Fazila Khan, said they were not aware of the arrangement. Charles Lalla of Lazkam’s accounts department claimed problems with Shivute started in 2002. Lalla said his company had been supplying Boutique Maria with fabric since 1997, but that in 2002 he had received payment cheques which were not honoured by the bank. He said that the company sent a representative to Shivute who came back with two new cheques. The bank also sent these cheques back, he said. Shivute was chosen Businesswoman of the Year in October 2003 at an annual function hosted by the Namibia Economist.