Staff Reporter
MENZIES Aviation, an international cargo handling company, has decided to file an appeal against the recent dismissal of their spoliation application in the High Court on Friday morning.
This is the latest development in an ongoing legal dispute that originated in 2022, triggered by the selection of Paragon as the successful bidder to take over ground handling services at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA).
Subsequently, Menzies initiated numerous court actions in an effort to assert its right to continue providing ground handling services at HKIA. However, on Friday morning, Justice Hannelie Prinsloo determined that Menzies lacked the legal basis to maintain its ground handling services at HKIA.
Despite this setback, Menzies remains undeterred and has decided to file an urgent appeal to the Supreme Court of Namibia along with an application for an expedited appeal. The specific date is yet to be determined by the Chief Justice, but Menzies aims to complete the hearing no later than Wednesday, September 6th.
The primary reason for the urgent application, according to the international aviation company, is the refusal of both Paragon and the Namibia Airport Company (NAC) to grant Menzies access to HKIA facilities for the distribution of critical blood supplies needed by the Namibian Blood Transfusion Services.
“Paragon and the NAC seems to disregard the public interest, while only chasing their own personal interests. The situation is regrettable,” Menzies representative said.
The company added that they cannot hand over the cargo in its warehouse to any third party as they have an obligation to their consignors and consignees to distribute the critical cargo supplies themselves and urgently. Despite their rejection of the recent ruling, Menzies still assures that it will continue to comply with the rule of law and carries the wider public interests of all Namibians at heart.
File photo for illustrative purposes only.
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