Vitafoam Zimbabwe in 'provisional liquidation'

By David Reed, UT EditorLondon-British Vita plc's subsidiary in Zimbabwe has been placed under provisional liquidation following its failure to service a Z$60 000-million (about $3.95-million) debt owed to various creditors, according to a report in the Zimbabwe Standard of Harare.Vitafoam Zimbabwe's board, led by Eric Bloch, has objected to the decision and is expected to file opposing papers at the High Court next month, the report said, adding that Vitafoam liquidator, Robert McIndoe, said the foam manufacturer's future was still unclear.The company is one of the few makers of polyurethane foam in southern Africa, with plants in Harare and Bulawayo, so furniture makers and other local foam users are reported to be concerned about the company's demise.A spokesperson for British Vita plc said the basics of the story were correct, but that the precise amounts of the debts and the names of the debtors involved could not be confirmed."