List of 2022 Arbitration Cases Decided by the Superior Courts in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe was the fifth country in Africa to adopt the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, following Nigeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Kenya. See Prince Kanokanga, ‘An African Arbitration Practitioner's Guide to Selected Academic Works by Africans on Arbitration: Enhancing and Promoting African International Commercial Arbitration’ (2025) 3 (2) Journal of Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) & Sustainability 66 - 113.

Below is a structured list of the 2022 arbitration cases based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration decided by the superior courts in Zimbabwe, categorized by the relevant statutory provisions and articles.

High Court of Zimbabwe

Section 4 of the Arbitration Act [Chapter 7:15] (What may be submitted to arbitration)

• Section 4(2)(a): Buywest Investment (Pvt) Ltd v Hunyani Forests Ltd HH 99-22

Article 7 of the Model Law (Definition and form of arbitration agreement)

• Gumbo v The Gas Boys (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 194-22
• Nkomo v Minerals Identity (Pvt) Ltd & Others HH 616-22

Article 8 of the Model Law (Arbitration agreement and substantive claim before court)

• Duatlet Investments (Pvt) Ltd & Another v Hofisi & Others HH 74-22
• Buywest Investment (Pvt) Ltd v Hunyani Forests Ltd HH 99-22
• Simmons v Nzarayapenga & Others HB 225-22
• Nkomo v Minerals Identity (Pvt) Ltd & Others HH 616-22
• Zimbabwe School Examinations Council v A R Mandizvidza Architect t/a Amandiz Architect HH 678-22

Article 9 of the Model Law (Arbitration agreement and interim measures by court)

• Redan Petroleum (Pvt) Ltd t/a Puma Energy v Redan Coupon (Pvt) Ltd HH 327-22

Article 11 of the Model Law (Appointment of arbitrators)

• Article 11(3): Chayayi & Others v Baxter Paints (Pvt) Ltd & Others HH 325-22

Article 16 of the Model Law (Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction)

• Article 16(3): Gumbo v The Gas Boys (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 194-22

Article 24 of the Model Law (Hearings and written proceedings)

• Article 24(1): Khule Resorts (Pvt) Ltd v Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management & Another HH 368-22

Article 25 of the Model Law (Default of a party)

• Article 25(a): Regal Insurance Company (Pvt) Ltd v Zimbabwe Posts (Pvt) Ltd HH 28-22

Article 31 of the Model Law (Form and contents of award)

• Article 31(4): Changara v Row Croppers (Pvt) Ltd HH 350-22

Article 34 of the Model Law (Application for setting aside as exclusive recourse)

• Article 34(2)(a)(iv) [Composition of tribunal / procedure]:
  • Khule Resorts (Pvt) Ltd v Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management & Another HH 368-22
• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • Premium Leaf Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd v Tilroy Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 43-22
  • RioZim Ltd & Another v Maranatha Ferrochrome (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 669-22
• Article 34(5) [Suspension of setting aside proceedings]:
  • Premium Leaf Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd v Tilroy Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 43-22

Article 35 of the Model Law (Recognition and enforcement)

• Quarrying Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd v Stonezim (Pvt) Ltd & Another; Stonezim (Pvt) Ltd v Quarrying Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd HH 37-22
• M. Bhika Brothers (Pvt) Ltd t/a BK Investments v Nerveway Trading (Pvt) Ltd & Others HH 46-22
• Triback (Pvt) Ltd v Taruona & Another HH 92-22
• Changara v Row Croppers (Pvt) Ltd HH 350-22
• Vicemast Services (Pvt) Ltd v Pickglow Trading (Pvt) Ltd t/a Glow Petroleum HH 574-22

Article 36 of the Model Law (Grounds for refusing recognition or enforcement)

• Article 36(1)(b) [Public Policy / Non-arbitrable]: Vicemast Services (Pvt) Ltd v Pickglow Trading (Pvt) Ltd t/a Glow Petroleum HH 574-22
• Article 36(1)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]: Harrison Holdings (Pvt) Ltd v Munakiri Leaf Tobacco (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 834-22

Supreme Court of Zimbabwe

Section 2 of the Arbitration Act [Chapter 7:15] (Interpretation)

• Section 2(3): RioZim Ltd & Another v Maranatha Ferrochrome (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 30-22

Article 11 of the Model Law (Appointment of arbitrators)

• Article 11(4): Zimbabwe Cricket v Harare Sports Club & Another SC 27-22

Article 16 of the Model Law (Competence of arbitral tribunal to rule on its jurisdiction)

• Zimbabwe Cricket v Harare Sports Club & Another SC 27-22
• Article 16(3): RioZim Ltd & Another v Maranatha Ferrochrome (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 30-22

Article 31 of the Model Law (Form and contents of award)

• Article 31(7) [Interest]: RioZim Ltd & Another v Maranatha Ferrochrome (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 30-22

Article 33 of the Model Law (Correction and interpretation of award; additional award)

• RioZim Ltd & Another v Maranatha Ferrochrome (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 30-22

Article 34 of the Model Law (Application for setting aside as exclusive recourse)

• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • Zimbabwe Cricket v Harare Sports Club & Another SC 27-22
  • RioZim Ltd & Another v Maranatha Ferrochrome (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 30-22
  • Legacy Hospitality Management Services Ltd v African Sun Ltd & Another SC 43-22
  • Central African Building Society v Finormacg Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 56-22

Article 35 of the Model Law (Recognition and enforcement)

• National Social Security Authority v Housing Cooperation Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 20-22