adminMashudu Netsianda, Senior Court Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) is suing a Victoria Falls safari company for allegedly failing to pay about $58 000 in rentals and lease fees for the past seven years.
ZimParks this week filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court citing Falcon Safaris as the defendant.
ZimParks is demanding a total of $57 811 from the safari company for outstanding rentals, interest and hold over damages.
The wildlife authority, in its summons filed through its lawyers Coghlan and Welsh Legal Practitioners, said the defendant has continuously failed, refused or neglected to settle the outstanding amounts despite demand.
“In breach of the terms and conditions of the lease agreement, the defendant has between 2009 and 2016 failed to make payments of a sum of $57 811,46 with respect to lease fees, outstanding rentals and interest. The defendant has failed or neglected to pay the debt,” said its lawyers.
ZimParks has since terminated the lease agreement and seeks an order to evict Falcon Safaris from Jetty Site of the Zambezi National Park in Victoria Falls.
Falcon Safaris leased the premises exclusively to conduct boat launching, bush dinners and sunset river cruises.
ZimParks and Falcon Safaris entered into a 10-year lease agreement in June 2008.
According to the agreement, the defendant was obliged to pay rates and other service charges levied upon the leased premises by relevant authorities.
In papers before the court, ZimParks is demanding that the defendant pay the debt with an interest and hold over damages calculated from the date of summons to the date of eviction and the legal costs.
Falcon Safaris has not yet filed a notice to enter an appearance to defend the summons.
— @mashnets
Sidumisile Mabena