List of 2024 Arbitration Cases Decided by the Superior Courts in Zimbabwe

The main arbitration institutions in Zimbabwe include the Africa Institute of Mediation and Arbitration (‘AIMA’) established in 2013, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre (‘ADSC’) established in 2020, and the Commercial Arbitration Centre (‘CAC’) established in 1995. The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion in 2026 recently established the Victoria Falls International Arbitration Centre.

The leading texts on arbitration include Davison Kanokanga, Commercial Arbitration in Zimbabwe (Juta & Co, Cape Town, 2020) and Davison Kanokanga and Prince Kanokanga, UNCITRAL Arbitration Model Law on International Commercial Law: A Commentary on the Zimbabwean Arbitration Act [Chapter 7:15] (Juta & Co, Cape Town, 2022).

Below is a structured list of the 2024 arbitration cases based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration decided by the superior courts in Zimbabwe.

High Court of Zimbabwe

Section 4 of the Arbitration Act [Chapter 7:15]

• Section 4(3): Bakaris N.O. v Nanavac Investments (Pvt) Ltd t/a Choppies Zimbabwe; Nanavac Investments (Pvt) Ltd t/a Choppies Zimbabwe v Bakaris N.O. & Another HH 145-24

Article 5 of the Model Law (Extent of court intervention)

• Zimbabwe Base Metals Mining (Pvt) Ltd v Damo Resources (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 577-24

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

• Manifest Security (Pvt) Ltd v Zesa Holdings (Pvt) Ltd HH 18-24
• Mutombwa v Ruredzo & Others HH 450-24

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

• Africa at Large (Pvt) Ltd v Petra College HB 71-24
• Rawfert Offshore SAL (Pvt) Ltd v Apple Bridge Investments (Pvt) Ltd HH 84-24
• Martin Pieters Safaris and Tours (Pvt) Ltd v Parks and Wildlife Management Authority HB 191-24
• Mutombwa v Ruredzo & Others HH 450-24
• Seedco Ltd v Falkenberg HH 462-24

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

• Landela Safaris Adventure (Pvt) Ltd v National Railways of Zimbabwe & Others HH 160-24

Article 13 of the Model Law (Challenge procedure)

• Article 13(3): CFI Holdings Ltd v Fidelity Life Assurance Zimbabwe Ltd & Another HH 616-24

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

• Mining Engineering Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd v Blanket Mine [1983] (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 61-24
• Article 16(3): Portnex International (Pty) Ltd v Zimasco (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 194-24
• Article 16(3): Zimbabwe National Water Authority v Pellavin Marketing (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 498-24

Article 23 of the Model Law (Statements of claim and defence)

• Mining Engineering Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd v Blanket Mine [1983] (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 61-24

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

• Article 31(5): San He Mining Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd v Zimasco (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 28-24

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

• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • Minister of Public Service, Labour & Social Welfare v Digicard Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 100-24
  • National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd v AC Controls & Another HH 182-24
  • Riogold (Pvt) Ltd v Falcon Gold Zimbabwe Ltd & Another HH 210-24
  • City of Harare v Furbank Trading (Pvt) Ltd HH 336-24
  • FBC Holdings Ltd v Zimbabwe Nantong International (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 369-24
• Article 34(5) [Suspension of setting aside proceedings]:
  • Zimbabwe Base Metals Mining (Pvt) Ltd v Damo Resources (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 577-24

Article 35 of the Model Law (Recognition and enforcement)

• San He Mining Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd v Zimasco (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 28-24
• Bakaris N.O. v Nanavac Investments (Pvt) Ltd t/a Choppies Zimbabwe; Nanavac Investments (Pvt) Ltd t/a Choppies Zimbabwe v Bakaris N.O. & Another HH 145-24
• Zimasco (Pvt) Ltd v Portnex International (Pty) Ltd & Another HH 208-24
• Pswarayi v Mugwagwa & Another; Mugwagwa v Pswarayi & Another HH 467-24

Supreme Court of Zimbabwe

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

• Chiduku & Others v Chiduku SC 56-24

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

• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • National Social Security Authority v Housing Corporation Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 117-24