Business News
KFC Forced to Pay US$2K in Damages to Injured Customer

A CUSTOMER who was injured and had their mobile phone damaged when they slipped and fell on a wet floor in a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet in Harare’s Belgravia suburb has been awarded more than US$2 625 in damages by the civil court.
Mr Fungai Kudzai Kangai slipped and fell on a wet floor at the entrance of Belgravia KFC last year in February, injuring his back and ended up requiring medical treatment. His mobile phone crashed on the floor and was shattered beyond repair.
Such accidents can be serious and lead to long-term injuries and an argument can ensue over who was at fault, the shop or the customer.
In this case, Mr Kangai sued for US$10 000 claiming KFC was negligent in having a wet floor at the entrance and so causing him to slip.
Civil court magistrate Ms Judith Taruvinga found KFC had not been mopping the floor at the time but allowed an award of damages. She reduced the claim to US$2 625 plus costs of suit on attorney and client scale at the ruling interbank rate, in a ruling delivered recently.
The attorney and client scale means that Mr Kangai’s lawyer is paid by KFC at approved rates.
Mr Kangai, who was being represented by Mr Vote Muza of Muza and Nyapadi law firm, claimed the KFC main entrance was poorly designed in that it was sloppy and slippery thereby posing a hazard when it was wet.
Mr Muza accused KFC of failing to put entrance mats or carpets or other high-friction surfaces to protect customers against slipping and falling.
But KFC fought the claim arguing that its main entrance is properly designed to cater for patrons and adequate measures are always taken to ensure that customers are protected from slipping and falling, so the accident and injuries were not a result of poor design of the main entrance. KFC also disputed the size of the claim of US$10 000.
In delivering her ruling, Ms Taruvinga noted that all KFC witnesses testified that no cleaning was taking place at all at the time the accident occurred, but confirmed that Mr Kangai’s cell phone broke on impact with the floor.
She also noted that it was only Mr Kangai who spoke of the cleaning and wet floor and no one else.
“Regarding the wet floor, I found that defendants KFC were more credible,” Ms Taruvinga said. “If it was being mopped, the defendants (KFC) could have been found vicariously liable but that is not the case. After the fall, the plaintiff (Kangai) has successfully shown evidence of injuries and went to specialists. He has also shown the need for the replacement of his phone. The court is of the view that he is entitled to such relief sought. What he has failed to do is to quantify the special damages that he claims.”
KFC has noted an appeal seeking to challenge the lower court’s decision, arguing that the lower court erred at law and facts by proceeding to award damages when negligence had not been proved.
Source: Herald
Business News
Zim Afro T10 Tournament Showcases Zimbabwe to Global Audience, Says Mnangagwa
Harare, Zimbabwe | President Emmerson Mnangagwa has commended the Zimbabwean diaspora for playing a pivotal role in attracting foreign investors to the country, aligning with the ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ initiative.
This policy facilitates the influx of much-needed capital, strengthening the nation’s economy.
The President expressed his appreciation during his keynote speech at the closing ceremony of the second edition of the Zim Afro T10 cricket tournament, held at Harare Sports Club.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our diaspora community for their tireless efforts in convincing investors to bring their resources to Zimbabwe, particularly in the realm of cricket,” said Mnangagwa.
He emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating, “Together, we will ensure that no one and no place is left behind, especially in sports.”
Looking ahead, Mnangagwa urged the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, along with Zimbabwe Cricket and other stakeholders, to channel efforts toward grassroots development, ensuring that opportunities reach village level.
The President was among a large audience witnessing the final match. He was accompanied by UAE billionaire Shaji Ul Mulk, founder and chairman of T Ten Global Sports, Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe, and award-winning diasporan investor Dr. Paul Tungwarara, closely following the game.
In April 2022, under Mnangagwa’s leadership, Zimbabwe’s Second Republic approved projects worth USD 1 billion from Mulk Holdings. Dr. Tungwarara initially brought Mulk into the country, and Mulk has been instrumental in organizing the T10 tournament under the banner of T Ten Global Sports.
President Mnangagwa also highlighted the tournament’s vast international reach, noting that it is broadcast live in 100 countries with an audience exceeding 400 million viewers, providing significant global exposure for Zimbabwe.
Business News
$50,000 Bribe and High-Profile Collusion: Harare Town Clerk’s Release Sparks Outrage
The recent release of Harare’s Town Clerk has uncovered a web of corruption involving high-ranking officials and legal professionals, exposing the ongoing corruption undermining the city’s governance.
At the center of this scandal is the law firm Guwuriro and Associates, which played a key role in the Town Clerk’s release. The firm has a history of manipulating legal processes for their clients’ benefit, often at the expense of justice and transparency.
Vongai Guwuriro, the Acting Chief Magistrate and a key figure in securing favorable outcomes for her husband’s firm, has raised further concerns about judicial integrity. Guwuriro previously attempted to grant bail to the same Town Clerk, who had secured bail under suspicious circumstances in an earlier case, setting a troubling precedent.
Court records reveal that Town Clerk Chisango, as the Accounting Officer, fraudulently awarded a street lighting contract to Juluka after reducing the budget from $45 million to $15 million, narrowing down the bidders from four to just two. Despite these manipulations, the procurement authority PRAZ refused to endorse the deal. Chisango’s claim of ignorance, along with his lawyers’ defense, is seen as a weak excuse for his actions.
Key figures in the Town Clerk’s release include Public Prosecutor Mapfuwa and legal partner Vhiriri, who worked together to secure the controversial bail despite charges of criminal abuse of office, mismanagement, and embezzlement. Local councillor Abdurrahman Sapa (“Abdul”) also played a crucial role by leveraging his connections with the judiciary to facilitate the Town Clerk’s return to duty, in violation of bail conditions.
Reports suggest that a $50,000 bribe was paid to ensure the Town Clerk’s release, implicating several individuals in the bribery scheme. The lenient bail conditions, which only require the Town Clerk to report to the police once a month, have sparked outrage, as they allow him to resume work, potentially intimidating witnesses in his ongoing cases.
The preferential treatment given to the Town Clerk contrasts sharply with the denial of bail to other individuals implicated in the same scandal. Moreover, while a directive from the Ministry of Local Government states that council employees should not return to work until their court cases are resolved, Chisango and his associates continue to violate these rules. He has even publicly claimed to have the support of Zimbabwe’s President.
As the officer responsible for signing contracts, the Town Clerk’s actions raise serious concerns about accountability and justice. Harare residents deserve transparency from their officials, and the misuse of public funds must be addressed. The scandal has highlighted the deep-rooted corruption in Harare’s administration, and it is essential that all those involved are held accountable to restore trust in the city’s governance.
Business News
Delta Corporation Reports Decline Due to Illicit Brews and Smuggled Products
Delta Corporation Limited’s associated entities are expressing concern about the adverse effects of counterfeit and smuggled imported goods on their operations.
African Distillers (Afdis) has reported that its business is suffering due to illegal brews produced in informal settings and wines and ciders smuggled into Zimbabwe. This influx has notably hindered their volume growth, as consumer preferences shift towards these alternative products.
Similarly, Schweppes Zimbabwe, another Delta associate, has observed a rise in smuggled imports of its popular Mazoe Orange Crush from regional markets. Challenges such as the sugar tax and market access regulations have also negatively impacted the company’s volume performance.
The increase in smuggled and counterfeit goods is largely attributed to inadequate border controls. There have been allegations of complicity among some immigration officials and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) personnel in facilitating these illicit activities.
Despite existing laws and enforcement efforts, the market continues to be flooded with unauthorized products. The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has noted that some of these illicit products are manufactured locally in unregulated settings or smuggled through poorly guarded border points, leading consumers to choose cheaper, lower-quality options.
The situation has been worsened by foreign traders’ preference for US dollars, which has incentivized smuggling activities. Local businesses and SMEs are struggling with this unfair competition from goods that bypass formal import channels.
Schweppes Holdings Africa Limited reported a 12 percent decline in volume for the quarter, primarily due to significant price hikes from the sugar tax affecting their cordials. The company also faced challenges from informal imports of Mazoe Orange Crush and disruptions related to market access regulations, according to Delta’s company secretary, Faith Musinga.
Industry leaders suggest a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders and the private sector to tackle the issue. Despite these challenges, Schweppes Zimbabwe saw positive results in juice drinks and bottled water volumes following the installation of a new plant in October 2023.
Afdis also experienced a six percent growth in wine and cider volumes for the quarter compared to the previous year, despite the increased presence of informal imports and counterfeit products. Afdis reported a revenue of US$12.6 million for the first quarter ending June 30, 2024, maintaining consistency with the same period last year.
Managing Director Stanley Muchenje noted that revenue was affected by changes in sales mix and price adjustments made to maintain market share against both imported goods and local affordable spirits.
Looking ahead, Delta Corporation is focusing on leveraging anticipated economic growth driven by infrastructure projects, tourism, mining, and increased remittances from the diaspora to support future growth.