List of 2023 Arbitration Cases Decided by the Superior Courts in Zimbabwe

The leading academic texts in Zimbabwe on arbitration were authored by father and son, Davison and Prince Kanokanga, both of whom are leading academics and arbitration practitioners. Davison Kanokanga's Commercial Arbitration in Zimbabwe (Juta & Co, Cape Town, 2020) is the first of its kind, providing a simple but comprehensive overview of commercial arbitration, particularly within the Zimbabwean context.

Furthermore, Davison Kanokanga and Prince Kanokanga co-authored UNCITRAL Arbitration Model Law on International Commercial Law: A Commentary on the Zimbabwean Arbitration Act [Chapter 7:15] (Juta & Co, Cape Town, 2022). This volume serves as an essential commentary on the Arbitration Act [Chapter 7:15], which gave effect to the Model Law in Zimbabwe. It addresses unique questions by combining theory and practice, illustrating the salient aspects of international commercial arbitration across each chapter.

Below is a structured list of the 2023 arbitration cases based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration decided by the superior courts in Zimbabwe, categorized by the relevant articles.

High Court of Zimbabwe

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

• Seldo Mining (Pvt) Ltd v G & W Industrial Minerals (Pvt) Ltd HH 53-23
• Crush Security (Pvt) Ltd v The Group Chief Executive Officer (Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals) & Another HH 59-23
• Angel Hill Mining Company v Rumgold Trading (Pvt) Ltd HH 69-23
• Valleco Investments (Pvt) Ltd v Saruchera & Others HH 208-23
• Chiduku & Others v Chiduku HH 214-23
• Mdokwani v Jera HH 351-23

Article 13 of the Model Law (Challenge procedure)

• Article 13(3): Fidelity Life Assurance of Zimbabwe v CFI Holdings Ltd & Another HH 509-23

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

• Article 16(3): Zimbabwe Revenue Authority v Amandiz Architects (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 657-23

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

• Article 33(3): Savanhu v Hamunakwadi & Nyandoro Legal Practice HH 155-23

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

• Article 34(2)(a)(i) [Incapacity or invalid agreement]:
  • Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund v Zimbabwe Jiangsu International Company (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 594-23
• Article 34(2)(a)(iv) [Composition of tribunal / procedure]:
  • City of Harare v Univern Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd t/a Southern Region Trading Co & Others HH 346-23
• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • Shurugwi Town Council v Unki Mines (Pvt) Ltd & Another HB 177-23
  • Svosve v Joosab & Another HH 182-23
  • Zimbabwe Power Company (Pvt) Ltd v Clovegate Elevator Company (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 274-23
  • Mazowe Mining Company v Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe & Others HH 296-23
  • National Social Security Authority v Housing Corporation Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd & Another; Housing Corporation Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd v National Social Security Authority HH 360-23
  • Voedsel Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd v Richaw Solar Tech (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 374-23
  • Fidelity Life Assurance of Zimbabwe Ltd v CFI Holdings Ltd & Another HH 400-23
  • Ariston Management Services (Pvt) Ltd v Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Ltd & Another HH 441-23
  • Zimbabwe Leaf Tobacco Company (Pvt) Ltd v Strokes & Another HH 458-23
  • Zimbabwe Revenue Authority v Mike Harris Toyota (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 614-23
  • Clovegate Elevator Company (Pvt) Ltd v Mtshiya (Rtd) N.O. & Another HH 624-23
• Article 34(5) [Suspension of setting aside proceedings]:
  • The Trustees for the time being of Caps Pharmaceutical Trust v Caps Holdings Ltd & Others; Minister of Industry and Commerce N.O. v The Trustees for the time being of Caps Pharmaceutical Trust & Others HH 435-23

Article 35 of the Model Law (Recognition and enforcement)

• Townsend Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd v Sinohydro Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd HH 143-23
• Savanhu v Hamunakwadi & Nyandoro Legal Practice HH 155-23
• Pangolin Mines and Minerals (Pvt) Ltd & Another v Afrochine Smelting (Pvt) Ltd HH 310-23
• Blakey Investments (Pty) Ltd v Delta Beverages (Pvt) Ltd & Others HH 388-23
• M. Bhika Brothers (Pvt) Ltd v Ray Makuvatsine (Private Business Corp) HH 591-23

Supreme Court of Zimbabwe

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

• Jimbata (Pvt) Ltd v Zimbabwe Mining Development & Another SC 2-23

Article 19 of the Model Law (Determination of rules of procedure)

• Article 19(2): Tomana v Tomana & Others SC 90-23

Article 32 of the Model Law (Termination of proceedings)

• Zesa Holdings (Pvt) Ltd v Clovegate Elevator Company (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 69-23

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

• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • Riogold (Pvt) Ltd v Falcon Gold Zimbabwe & Another SC 7-23
  • Great Zimbabwe University v Vengesayi Architects & Another SC 10-23
  • National Pharmaceutical Company v Drax Consult SAGL SC 66-23
  • Zesa Holdings (Pvt) Ltd v Clovegate Elevator Company (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 69-23
  • Tomana v Tomana & Others SC 90-23

Article 35 of the Model Law (Recognition and enforcement)

• Augur Investments & Another v Fairclot Investments & Others SC 93-23