Chinese investor Li Song wins key court battle against Italian businessman Marconati
Chinese investor Li Song has won a procedural victory in the Zimbabwe High Court against Italian businessman Francesco Marconati. The court ruled that an affidavit filed by Marconati was invalid, allowing Li Song's application to challenge her removal as a company director to proceed unopposed.
Why it matters
This case underscores the complexities of international corporate governance and legal disputes within emerging markets.
A long-running corporate dispute between Chinese investor Li Song and Italian businessman Francesco Marconati has taken another turn after the High Court struck out the latter’s opposition to her application challenging her removal as a director of two companies, leaving the case unopposed.
The two businesspeople, who were both based in Zimbabwe, are not new to the country’s courts and have been embroiled in a series of legal disputes linked to their business interests.
In the latest case, High Court judge Justice Joseph Chilimbe ruled that an affidavit filed by Marconati was invalid because the commissioner of oaths who administered it failed to state his legal capacity on the document.
The ruling means Li Song’s application will now proceed on an unopposed basis.
Li Song and Marconati were previously co-directors of Eagle Italian Shoes (Pvt) Ltd and Eagle Italian Leather (Pvt) Ltd until their relationship broke down in October 2021.
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