High Court rulings impact OK Zimbabwe and Norman Chisale asset case

In Zimbabwe, the High Court has lifted a corporate-rescue moratorium protecting OK Zimbabwe Limited. This ruling allows landlord Savvas Investments (Private) Limited to proceed with eviction proceedings regarding commercial premises in Mount Pleasant. While the court found sufficient grounds for the case to move forward, it did not order the retailer to vacate; the substantive dispute over lease validity, rent arrears, and damages remains to be determined.

In Malawi, the Supreme Court has concluded a long-running MK5 billion asset case involving Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale. The court overturned a High Court decision that had previously rejected an agreement between Chisale and the State to discontinue proceedings. Justice Dingiswayo Madise ruled that the court cannot compel the Director of Public Prosecutions to continue a prosecution that the office has decided to end. The case involved allegations of unlawful acquisition of property and funds totaling over MK5 billion during Chisale’s tenure as a presidential security aide.