K&G Mining Syndicate v Mugangavari & Others ( HB 131/17 HC 2031/15) [2017] ZWBHC 131 (01 June 2017);
1
HB 131/17
HC 2031/15
K & G MINING SYNDICATE
Versus
RONALD MUGANGAVARI
And
PROVINCIAL MINING DIRECTOR – MIDLANDS
And
MINISTRY OF MINES & MINING DEVELOPMENT N.O.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE
TAKUVA J
BULAWAYO 1 FEBRUARY & 1 JUNE 2017
Opposed Matter
This High Court case concerned an application for review in which the applicant sought an order that the third respondentÕs decision cancelling the applicants mining registration be set aside.
The dispute arose between the applicant and the second respondent allegedly due to a double allocation of the same mining area to the applicant and the first respondent. The third respondent convinced that there was a double allocation cancelled the applicants mining rights to the extent that their boundaries were overlapping. His reasoning was that the first respondent was the first to be allocated the disputed area. The applicant was dissatisfied with the decision and hence applied for a review to the High Court.
The issue for determination by the Court was thus whether the third respondentÕs decision was justified. The Court held that since the matter was first decided in the Mining CommissionerÕs Court, the appeal was supposed to be directed to the High Court per s361 of the Mines and Minerals Act of 1961 and not to the Minister. The High Court thus held that the entire proceeding, and the decision that followed it, was a nullity.
As such, the determination by the third respondent cancelling the applicantÕs Mining registration certificate held by the applicant was set aside with cost.