The Windhoek High Court on Thursday dismissed a N$408 791 lawsuit against prominent Namibian musician Lazarus Shiimi, well-known by his stage name Gazza.

This follows accusations that Shiimi breached a contract with Trinity Transaction Advisory cc, which claimed it secured deals for him with Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) and Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

Court documents indicated that the company alleged that an agreement between the parties stated that it was entitled to 20% of the value of the commercial agreement it secured for Shiimi, and was entitled to N$45 000 per month for services rendered.

Judge Boas Usiku dismissed the application with costs, stating that Trinity Transaction Advisory cc is not entitled to 20% of the value of the commercial agreement. Shiimi insisted that Trinity Transaction Advisory cc did not secure the deals for him. 

The court found that the NBL, KFC and Shiimi were not brought together through the wisdom or business acumen of Trinity Transaction Advisory cc, owned by lawyer Gokulan Thambapilai.

“It cannot be said that the plaintiff secured the NBL or KFC agreement, and therefore the plaintiff is not entitled to 20% of the agreement’s value,” Judge Usiku ruled.

According to Shiimi, he has had a long-standing relationship with NBL since 2006. Thambapilai argued during trial that Shiimi approached him in January 2021 for assistance with commercial and contractual agreements, saying he was not happy with the remuneration he received from NBL for his services as a brand ambassador.

Appolus Shimakeleni represented Shiimi, while Nixon Marcus represented Trinity Transaction Advisory cc. 

-Nampa