List of 2025 Arbitration Cases Decided by the Superior Courts in Zimbabwe

The Arbitration Act [Chapter 7:15] which adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration in Zimbabwe was promulgated on the 13th September 1996. see Prince Kanokanga, ‘25 Years of UNCITRAL Model Law in Zimbabwe’ (2022) University of Zimbabwe Students Law Review 147 – 187.

To date, thirteen African countries have adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration: Nigeria (1990), Tunisia (1993), Egypt (1994), Kenya (1995), Zimbabwe (1996), Madagascar (1998), Uganda (2000), Zambia (2000), Rwanda (2008), Mauritius (2008), South Africa (2017), Sierra Leone (2022) and Malawi (2024).

Zimbabwe, as the fifth country in Africa to adopt the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration after Nigeria, Tunisia, Egypt and Kenya, is dubbed as having the best body of decided cases on the Model Law on the continent. 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 2025 arbitration cases based on the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration decided by the superior courts in Zimbabwe.

High Court of Zimbabwe

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

• Grainco (Pvt) Ltd v Magandi & Another HH 714-25

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

• Muza v Muza HH 44-25

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

• Ncube & Another v Maphosa & Another HB 35-25
• Choto v Gray Homes (Pvt) Ltd HH 147-25
• Lenderspark Finance Ltd v United Refiners Ltd & Another HB 195-25
• National Social Security Authority v Urban Vision Developments (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 498-25
• Surface Wilmar (Pvt) Ltd v Windmill (Pvt) Ltd HH 575-25
• Ultra Resources (Pvt) Ltd t/a Ultra Constructions & Civil Engineering v Premier Services Medical Investments (Pvt) Ltd t/a PSMI HH 648-25

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

• Parks and Wildlife Management Authority v Martin Pieters Safaris (Pvt) Ltd & Others HB 31-25

Article 11 of the Model Law (Appointment of arbitrators)

• Article 11(3): Netone Cellular (Pvt) Ltd v Muchenje HH 720-25
• Article 11(4): Powertel Communications (Pvt) Ltd v Dandemutande Investments (Pvt) Ltd HH 454-25

Article 32 of the Model Law (Termination of proceedings)

• Ever Prosperous Worldwide Ltd v Xtenda Financial Holdings Ltd & Others HH 05-25

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

• Harrison Holdings (Pvt) Ltd v Munakiri Tobacco (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 237-25

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

• Alvestone Estate (1985) (Pvt) Ltd v Mutinhiri & Another HH 574-25
• Grain Millers Associations of Zimbabwe v Access Finance (Pvt) Ltd HH 618-25
• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • Verlaque & Another v Mhende & Others; Mhende & Another v Verlaque & Another HH 13-25
  • Metbank Ltd v Bruni N.O. & Others HH 51-25
  • Malbeck v Netone Cellular (Pvt) Ltd HH 51-25
  • Edgars Stores Ltd v Fortrid Resources Africa (Pvt) Ltd & Another HB 170-25
  • Zimbabwe Revenue Authority & Another v Zimbabwe Revenue and Allied Worker’s Union & Others HH 337-25
• Article 34(3) [Time limit]: Tzircalle Brothers (Pvt) Ltd v City of Bulawayo & Another HB 118-25
• Article 34(4) [Suspension of setting aside proceedings]: Harrison Holdings (Pvt) Ltd v Munakiri Tobacco (Pvt) Ltd & Another HH 237-25

Article 35 of the Model Law (Recognition and enforcement)

• Fidelity Gold Refinery (Pvt) Ltd v Curechem Overseas (Pvt) Ltd HH 241-25
• African Strategic Metals PLC v Chikutiro & Another HH 415-25
• Brewing and Distilling Employers Association v Brewing and Distilling Workers Union & Others HH 555-25
• Grainco (Pvt) Ltd v Magandi & Another HH 714-25
• Rural Electrification Fund v Sinotruck Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd HH 798-25

Supreme Court of Zimbabwe

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

• Zimbabwe Revenue and Allied Workers Union v Zimbabwe Revenue Authority & Others SC 111-25

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

• National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe v AC Controls (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 12-25
• Zimbabwe Nantong International (Pvt) Ltd v FBC Holdings Ltd & Another SC 84-25
• Article 34(2)(a)(i) [Incapacity or invalid agreement]:
  • Zimbabwe Jiangsu International Company (Pvt) Ltd v Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund & Another SC 44-25
• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • RioZim Ltd & Another v Maranatha Ferrochrome (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 06-25
  • Ariston Management Services (Pvt) Ltd v Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Ltd & Another SC 55-25
  • Portnex International (Pty) Ltd v Zimasco (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 59-25

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

• Portnex International (Pty) Ltd v Zimasco (Pvt) Ltd & Another SC 75-25

Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe

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

• Article 34(2)(b)(ii) [Public Policy]:
  • Housing Corporation of Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd v National Social Security Authority & Another CCZ 10-25