THE Lusaka High Court has dismissed, for lack of progress, a case in which ARC Save Travel Tours and Car Hire Limited sued former special assistant to the President for political affairs Kaizer Zulu seeking payment of over K130,000 owed to it for air tickets.

Judge Mwenda dismissed the case, saying there has been no progress in the matter since it was commenced on August 18, 2020.

“The action herein having been commenced on 18th August 2020 and there having been no progress since a notice to show cause, why the matter should not be dismissed for lack of progress, was served on the plaintiff’s advocates on 21st October, 2020, in exercise of the power given to me under order XIX Rule 8 of the High Court Rules, Chapter 27 of the Laws of Zambia as amended by the High Court (amendment) Rules, 2020, SI No. 58 of 2020, I dismiss the action forthwith for lack of progress,” said judge Mwenda.

This is a case in which the company sued Zulu demanding payment for air tickets he had bought for several individuals.

ARC Save Travel Tours and Car Hire was claiming K132,665 being monies owed for air tickets as well as damages for loss of use of funds.

According to a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court Commercial Registry, ARC Save Travel Tours and Car Hire had stated that Zulu engaged it between October 25 and November 27, 2017, for the provision of air tickets for various individuals on his account.

The company stated that Zulu was issued some invoices on the account, but added that the remaining balance in the sum of K132,665 on his account was not settled.

ARC Save stated that it through one of its directors engaged Zulu on several occasions reminding him of his indebtedness.

“Due to the negative response by the defendant (Zulu), the plaintiff (ARC Save) through its advocates Messrs Andrew & Partners wrote a letter of demand to the defendant on June 12, 2020, which letter has not been received by the defendant as he has been avoiding phone calls from the law firm,” read the claim.

ARC Save stated that as a result, it had suffered grave loss and inconveniences.