A Lusaka based Chinese woman has dragged two Zambians to court, demanding a refund of K168,000 for failing to supply her with timber.

Hu Lamei who has sued Webster Simaliki and Keith Mwaanga, says she has now lost faith in Zambian timber dealers because they seem to be the same; fast on receiving upfront payments but not fulfilling their contracts.

In a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, recently, Hu Lamei stated that she was a Chinese woman dealing in buying and supplying timber to China, whereas the defendants were timber dealers.

She stated that she engaged the defendants in 2017 to supply her with Zambian timber worth K168,000, and paid an up front of the said amount.

Lamei disclosed that Simaliki and Mwaanga had to date, failed to deliver the timber and had also not refunded her the money, hence the court suit.

“The defendants have refused, neglected or denied to refund the amounts owed, leaving the plaintiff with no option but to sue them in the courts of law,” read the statement of claim.

She stated that her partners were now on her case as she seemed to have also fallen into the same foot as that of the defendants.

Lamei lamented that her business had gone down.

“The plaintiff’s business has gone down and now has lost faith in the Zambian timber dealers as they seem to be the same, who do not fulfil their contracts, but fast on receiving up front payments. The defendants herein do not have any defence on the plaintiff’s claims,” read the statement of claim.

She is now claiming for an order for immediate payment of K168,000, being refund for failed contract of supply and delivery of timber.

Lamei is further claiming for interest on the amount, damages for loss of income and breach of contract, costs and any other reliefs.