Property dispute escalates as Angolan Embassy sued over alleged unpaid rentals

According to documents filed before the Lusaka High Court, Sitali Konoso, who resides in Johannesburg, is suing the Angolan Embassy for what he says is its prolonged failure to settle outstanding rentals and repair costs for the property. In an affidavit supporting an ex parte summons, Konoso said he is the legal owner of property No. F/441A/286 in Lusaka, which had been leased to the embassy.

He stated that the claim included unpaid rentals totalling US$24,400 and repair costs amounting to K144,637.50. “The intended defendant has never denied my claims,” Konoso said in the affidavit. He added that the embassy now operates from Plot No.

6660, Mumana Road in Lusaka’s Katima Mulilo area. Konoso further explained that he was seeking the court’s permission to issue and serve court process outside the jurisdiction, as required when instituting legal action against a diplomatic mission. His lawyers, Mulenga Mundashi Legal Practitioners, advised that despite embassies operating physically within Zambia, they are considered to be outside the court’s jurisdiction for the purposes of service.

[paywall]

He argued that his intended claim was valid because it sought to enforce a lease agreement between himself and the embassy. The application has been brought under Order 10 Rule 15(e)(iii) of the High Court Rules, which permits service outside jurisdiction in matters involving enforcement of contracts. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

[/paywall]