Koala Estates loses land case
Chief Court Reporter
The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the Government’s decision to acquire a portion of land from Koala Estates (Pvt) Limited for urban expansion.
The ruling follows Koala Estates’ appeal against the Administrative Court decision confirming the acquisition of a piece of land measuring 2 593 302 acres for residential and commercial development.
Justice Luke Malaba dismissed the appeal with costs for lack of merit. “The appeal is without merit and is hereby dismissed with costs,” said Justice Malaba immediately after both parties’ lawyers argued the matter.
Justices Padington Garwe and Antonia Guvava concurred with the ruling.
The dispute over the acquisition of the land spilled into the courts after the Government published a notice for compulsory acquisition of the land in the media and the Government Gazette on March 9 2012 in terms of the Land Acquisition Act.