By GRACE CHAILE LESOETSA
The Court of Appeal has granted Zambia Community Resources Board Association Limited (CRBA) and Mopane Safaris Limited leave to commence judicial review proceedings in the High Court against Ministry of Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Evans Muhanga’s decision to cancel hunting concessions.
The court has also stayed invitation for bids in the Chikwa Hunting Block in Musalangu Game management area pending determination of the judicial review proceedings.
Justice Justin Chashi who sat with Judges Mwiinde Siavwapa and Ms Nicola Sharpe-Phiri was satisfied that it was a proper case for further investigations.
The court said that the review of Section 100 of the Public Procurement Act and Section 145 of the Zambia Wildlife Act revealed that the decision of the PS was not the one envisaged for appeal under the Zambia Public Procurement Authority or the Zambia Wildlife Act, which specifically referred to the Director or the Committee.
“Given that the director or the licensing committee did not make any decision in relation to this matter, we take the view that the respondent’s contention that the applicants could have explored other avenue to appeal cannot be sustained by this court,” Judge Chashi ruled. The court ordered for the proceedings to be commenced within 14 days from the date of ruling dated
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