The City of Harare, Zimbabwe, is facing a severe economic crisis, grappling with hyperinflation and a depreciating currency. This has led to a complex situation where the municipality is struggling to pay its debts, including those owed to foreign suppliers. In this specific case, the City of Harare had entered into a contract with a bitumen products supplier, who had quoted the price in US dollars. The municipality, however, wanted to settle the debt using local currency, arguing that the contract was not legally binding in the terms of the Zimbabwean legal system.

The invoice was not paid. Furbank then initiated legal proceedings against the City of Harare in 2020. The legal proceedings were initiated in the High Court of Zimbabwe. The High Court of Zimbabwe ruled in favor of Furbank in 2021. The High Court of Zimbabwe ordered the City of Harare to pay Furbank US$468,855 plus interest.

.. The arbitrator’s decision is not arbitrary or capricious…. The arbitrator’s decision is not unreasonable…. The arbitrator’s decision is not based on personal bias or prejudice…. The arbitrator’s decision is not based on improper motives…. The arbitrator’s decision is not based on a misunderstanding of the contract…. The arbitrator’s decision is not based on a misinterpretation of the law….