Zanzibar Airport Authority and DNATA Monopoly
The saga involving exclusive rights granted by the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) to Dubai National Air Travel Agency (Dnata), effectively creating a monopoly, took a whole new twist yesterday when another company filed a case at the High Court of Tanzania.
Transworld Aviation Limited submitted a petition at the High Court of Tanzania, challenging an exclusive right granted to Dnata.
However, a legal wrangle ensued as soon as the case came up yesterday, compelling Judge Sekela Moshi to prematurely recuse herself from the case.
On September 14, the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) issued a directive which gave the Dubai based company exclusive access to the new terminal which was constructed at a cost of $120 million.
The order by ZAA, gave ground handling firms that used to operate at Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport until December 1, 2022 to vacate the newly constructed Terminal III, instructing airlines to make arrangements to work with Dnata.
Speaking shortly after filing the lawsuit, the director for legal and investment of Transworld Aviation, Mr Peter Madeleka said that the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) and the Attorney General are the first and second respondents, respectively.
“The Transworld Aviation, the applicant in this matter, has brought an application at the High Court of Tanzania main registry, for the purpose of seeking court orders, of mandamus, sociale and prohibition,” he explained.
Adding: “The court had called the matter today for orders of mentioning, ordinarily when a case is called for mentioning in the first place, the court doesn’t entertain any issue, rather than a satisfying-self, whether documents to be used are properly filed and thereafter the date for hearing is to be set.”
According to him, they were brought to surprise as the respondents came with an objection saying the matter was a waste of the court’s precious time, but Transworld Aviation sought that the court was trying to entertain the said objection.
“We were of the view that it was improper for any issue which is to be determined by the court, to be brought at this very early stage of mentioning,” Adv Mdekela urged.
Therefore he added: “We urged the country that the matter, if at all there was any objection to be determined by court, then it has to be heard on the future date which the court will determine,” he observed.
However, in the process; Mdekela was asked by his client (Transworld Aviation) to raise a plea of no confidence with Judge Moshi who was presiding over the application.
“We asked the presiding judge to recuse herself because the applicant had no confidence in her, and we thank God that the judge has disqualified herself from determination of that particular application,” he noted.
Furthermore, Mr Madeleka stressed that: “We are seeking court order to set aside the decision made by TCAA to glorify what happened in Zanzibar in the sense that Transworld Aviation limited has been banned from conducting its business in terminal 3 on the AAKIA.”
With the exclusive rights granted to Dnata on September 14, last year, it is reported that airlines that ply the Zanzibar route have already started withdrawing from the existing ground handlers as directed by ZAA.
Details made available to the local media indicated that ground handlers Transworld have been the first victim of the directive after they were given notices by two Airlines which they were serving- Eurowings and Neos.
In November 2021, Dnata signed a contract with authorities in Zanzibar to provide ground handling services at newly built Terminal 3 at the airport.
As part of the contract, two other Emirates’ subsidiaries, Emirates Leisure Retail and MMI will operate all 13 retailers and two lounges in the terminal. These include restaurant, duty free and commercial outlets.
Share this news
This Year’s Most Read News Stories
US taps Tanzania for infrastructure plan in battle with China for minerals
Washington wants to tap into the country’s minerals, particularly its nickel mines.Continue Reading
Zanzibar Airport Authority to audit ground handlers
Unguja. The Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) is set to conduct an audit on ground handling companies that currently operate at the Abeid Amani Karume Airport with effect from Monday. The week-long audit is set to include Transworld, ZAT and the newcomer Dnata Zanzibar who were licensed in June plus exclusive rights to manage Terminal 3 building by ZAA.Continue Reading
Tanzania’s opposition party ACT Wazalendo honours veteran politician under new policy
Unguja. Opposition party ACT Wazalendo today officially bids farewell to its former Chairman, Juma Duni Haji, also known as Babu Duni, as part of a new policy designed to honor retired senior leaders at a ceremony held at Kiembesamaki, Zanzibar.
The initiative highlights the party’s commitment to recognizing and supporting individuals who have served with dedication and integrity.
Babu Duni, who stepped down earlier this year, was succeeded by Othman Masoud, now the First Vice President of Zanzibar.
The policy aims to provide ongoing respect and support to retired leaders, ensuring their continued recognition and contribution to the party’s development.
“Recognizing their significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the party, this policy ensures that retired leaders continue to be acknowledged and respected by both the party and the community,” the policy states.
To benefit from this policy, leaders must not have left or been expelled from the party. They must have served the party with honor and dedication. The national leadership committee will determine whether a leader has fulfilled these criteria.
The policy seeks to honor retired leaders, protect their dignity, acknowledge their contributions, leverage their ideas for the party’s growth, and support them to the best of the party’s ability.
In honoring these leaders, the party will provide a vehicle, the type of which will be determined by the national leadership committee. Additionally, they will receive a monthly allowance, with the amount also set by this committee.
Other benefits include health insurance. If a leader does not own a home, the party will cover their rent at a rate decided by the committee.
The leadership committee may also grant special recognition based on the leader’s contributions. Retired leaders will participate in decision-making meetings according to procedures outlined in the party’s constitution.
Depending on the party’s resources at the time, the policy may also apply to retired deputy chairpersons for both the mainland and Zanzibar, the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General for both mainland and Zanzibar, and the party’s Attorney General.
Additionally, leaders, executives, or members with exceptional contributions to the party’s protection, advocacy, and defense may also benefit, as determined by the leadership committee.
Currently, those who are eligible for benefits under this policy include Juma Duni Haji (retired party Chairman) and Zitto Kabwe (retired party leader).Continue Reading
