On 21 March 2007, the court granted a consent order in HC6497/05 requiring the applicant to pay 50% of the assessed value of Stand 3693 Highfield to the estate of late Lovemore Mutandwa within 60 days of receipt of a valuation report, after which transfer of the property would be effected. A valuation report was received on 28 August 2008 assessing the property at ZW$1,500,000,000, requiring the applicant to pay ZW$750,000,000. The applicant secured the funds on 23 October 2008 and tendered payment to the first respondent on 21 November 2008, which was rejected. The applicant claimed to have also sent payment to the second respondent (Master of the High Court) on 24 November 2008. The applicant then approached the court seeking an order confirming compliance with the 2007 order and directing transfer of the property. The first respondent opposed, arguing the payments were tendered late (outside the 60-day period which expired on 27 October 2008) and the value had been eroded by hyperinflation.
The application was dismissed with costs.
Where a court order specifies that payment must be made within a particular time period (in this case, within 60 days of receipt of a valuation report), tender of payment made after the expiration of that period does not constitute compliance with the court order, regardless of the reasons for the delay. The party obligated to make payment bears the responsibility for ensuring timely compliance, and external circumstances (such as a payee's reluctance to accept payment in a particular currency) do not extend the time period specified in the order unless payment is actually tendered and rejected within the stipulated time.
The court noted that the scenario would have been different had the applicant tendered payment within the 60 days and such payment was rejected. The court also observed that applicant's counsel's suspicion that the widow of the late Mutandwa may have influenced the officer in the Master's office not to process the cheque remained merely a suspicion without evidence. The court commented that if counsel sent the cheque but did not secure proof that it was received, he only had himself to blame, emphasizing the importance of obtaining proof of receipt when making payments in fulfillment of legal obligations.
This case emphasizes the strict interpretation and enforcement of court orders, particularly time limits specified in consent orders. It establishes that compliance with court-ordered payment deadlines is mandatory and that late tender of payment, even if made in good faith, does not constitute compliance. The case is significant in the context of hyperinflation and demonstrates that economic circumstances do not excuse failure to comply with specific time frames in court orders. It also highlights the importance of securing proper proof of payment when claiming to have fulfilled an obligation.