High Court Renders Lease Agreement Invalid, Orders Safari Operator’s Eviction from Chewore North Safari Area
In a significant legal ruling, the High Court of Zimbabwe has invalidated a long-standing lease agreement between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and safari operator Suscaden Investments (Private) Limited, trading as Chewore Lodge and Campsite. The court’s decision, issued on March 21, 2025, stems from the discovery of legal deficiencies in the arrangement that allowed the safari operator to conduct business in the iconic Chewore North Safari Area.
The area in question, located at the confluence of the Zambezi and Chewore rivers, is a prime tourism destination and lies on the border of the Chewore North Safari Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This ruling prohibits Suscaden Investments from continuing its tourism operations, including fishing, game viewing, and photographic safaris, within the protected area.
The legal challenge was brought forward by ZimParks and the Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, seeking to address irregularities in the original 25-year lease agreement. According to the court order, the lease was deemed invalid from the outset (“ab initio”), rendering Suscaden Investments’ operations in the region unlawful.
Justice Tawanda Chitapi, who presided over the case, ordered the safari operator to vacate the area within ninety (90) days, setting a strict deadline for June 19, 2025. The ruling effectively mandates Suscaden Investments to cease all activities in the region, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to legal processes and environmental conservation guidelines.
The decision is expected to have a significant impact on the tourism sector in the Chewore region, particularly as it relates to the preservation of the Chewore North Safari Area’s natural heritage. ZimParks has expressed its commitment to ensuring that the area remains protected and used sustainably, in line with both national and international conservation standards.
