Zimbabwe High Court hands down interim order against Econet

The High Court of Zimbabwe yesterday handed down an interim order against Econet in response to Trustco's application for an interdict last month. The interdict sought to enforce Econet's compliance with the Ecolife contractual obligations and to prohibit the company from infringing on Trustco's Intellectual Property by, as it appears, deploying a similar concept. Econet itself has indicated that it is working on its own Ecolife system to replace Trustco's.

The High Court Judge directed Econet to restore to Trustco Mobile the internet based reporting links and all access to Trustco Mobile hardware and software, thus enabling it to monitor and process airtime purchase transactions and otherwise perform its obligations in terms of the agreement;

Econet was also directed to refrain from undertaking and implementing a competing, infringing service to that provided by the first applicant (Trustco Mobile) in terms of the agreement.

Trustco said that it is foreseen that none of the almost two million subscribers to "Ecolife" will loose any of their accumulated life cover, as Trustco Mobile anticipates the continuation of the venture in Zimbabwe to the benefit of all parties concerned.