On Friday High Court judge Justice Amie Tsanga presided over a pre-trial conference over a matter in which Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Oppah Muchinguri is suing South African Airways (SAA). Muchinguri wants the airline to pay $877 435 in meteorological weather fees, something the airline is adamant that it will not do arguing that there is nothing at law called “meteorological weather fees.” The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) has come out in full support of the Minister.
Said CAAZ in its court papers:
The 2nd defendant (CAAZ) is a government parastatal established in terms of the Civil Aviation Act. It is confirmed that indeed the 1st defendant (SAA) is at law liable to pay plaintiff (Environment, Water and Climate Ministry) in respect of the meteorological weather services departure fees, landing fees and over-flight fees that are chargeable in terms of SI32 of 2005,
It is indeed correct that the 1st defendant has despite demand failed to pay the aforementioned fees. Wherefore the 2nd defendant prays that the plaintiff’s claim against it be dismissed and that the 1st defendant be found liable for the sums claimed by the plaintiff and also ordered to pay the cost of suit.
The matter is yet to be set down for a full trial.
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