Court Orders Eviction of Chewore Lodge Operator by June Following Invalid Lease
The High Court has ruled a 25-year lease agreement between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Suscaden Investments to be legally invalid, citing procedural violations.
The lease, which granted Suscaden Investments the right to operate Chewore Lodge and Campsite in the Chewore Safari Area along the Zambezi River, lacked mandatory approval from the Ministry of Environment – a critical legal requirement under Zimbabwean law.
Delivering the judgment on March 21, Justice Tawanda Chitapi emphasized the importance of strict compliance with regulatory frameworks to protect sensitive public properties.
As reported by NewsDay, Suscaden Investments has been ordered to vacate the property by June 19, 2025 and cease all tourism activities, including fishing, game viewing and photographic safaris.
The ruling serves as a reminder of the necessity for partnerships involving state entities to adhere to legal and environmental conservation standards.
ZimParks reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the ecological and cultural value of the Chewore Safari Area following the court’s decision.
