given the amount claimed why he could not be called back from China to
testify.
As to the submission of the plaintiff’s counsel that the evidence of DW1 and
TPW1 as to what happened to the goods was hearsay, defendants counsel
submitted that this was an attempt to pour cold water on the contention of
the Defendant and Third Party evidence as to what happened to the goods.
However, documentary Exhibit TP2 was admitted by consent in evidence
without objection by Counsel for the Plaintiff and it demonstrates what
happened to the goods. Secondly, Counsel for the Plaintiff did not object to the
said evidence and did not show in his cross-examination how this evidence was
false or demonstrably unreliable.
Counsel distinguished the case of SDV Transami (U) Limited vs. Nsibambi
Enterprises, relied on by Counsel for the Plaintiff to show that because there
was a fundamental breach, the Defendant was liable. In the SDV Transami (U)
Limited -vs- Nsibambi Enterprises case, there was negligence on the part of
the Carrier who loaded the Container in a manner that subjected the same to
tipping over, and falling and damaging the goods. There is no claim in the suit
that the Defendant was negligent, and indeed no negligence was pleaded
against the Defendant. The Judges of Appeal noted there was a duty to deliver
the goods as per Contract between the parties unless for good reason ... (page
10) of the Judgment:
"Had it been shown that the Appellant or its servants were diligent and
had fulfilled their obligations, I would have accepted Counsel's
submission that the exemption absolved the Appellant of any liability".
The Judge went further;
"No evidence was adduced by the Appellant to show that damage to the
Respondent's cargo was not due to a fault on its part or that what was
required of it was done but still the accident occurred'.
Relating the observations of the Judge of Appeal to the facts of this case, it is
clear that the loss of the goods in this case was occasioned by circumstances
beyond the control of the Defendant. The Defendant and its agents did what
was required of them but still the goods got stolen, as the stealing could not
have been reasonably foreseeable and, the theft was beyond the control of the
Defendant.
The case of SDV Transami (U) Limited -vs- Nsibambi Enterprises, on the
contrary supports the Defendant's contention as the circumstances that would
have entitled the Appellant to exclude liability are on all fours with those in
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