In a swift response to mounting public pressure and concerns over investor confidence, the Government of Zimbabwe has initiated emergency mediation talks regarding the future of Chewore Safari Lodge. The move follows a controversial Supreme Court ruling that ordered the eviction of long-term operators, sparking a national debate on property rights and the legalities of state leases.
On January 15, 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife (MECW) issued an official notice confirming high-level negotiations are underway. The Ministry is currently mediating between the primary stakeholders: Suscaden (the Kelly family), Big 5, and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks).
Seeking an “Amicable Resolution”
According to the Ministry’s statement, the goal is to foster a dialogue that leads to a fair conclusion for all parties involved.
“The engagements have been constructive, and all parties have expressed a shared commitment to resolving the matter within the shortest possible time frame, in a manner that is fair, mutually beneficial, and aligned with the applicable legal and policy frameworks,” the Ministry stated.
This intervention is widely viewed as a “damage control” exercise. After the court ordered the eviction of the lodge’s operators, legal experts and potential investors raised alarms, fearing the precedent could undermine the country’s “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra.
The Legal Battle: A 15-Year Lease in Jeopardy
The heart of the dispute lies in a 25-year lease signed back in 2010. For a decade and a half, businessman Terry William Kelly operated the luxury destination in the Zambezi Valley, pouring millions of dollars into infrastructure and tourism development.
However, the validity of the agreement was challenged when former Environment Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri claimed she never authorized the lease, despite her name appearing on the document. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court ruled in her favor, citing that Kelly’s firm, Suscaden, could not definitively prove the Minister’s signature was authentic.
Justice George Chiweshe noted in the judgment: “The appellant has not satisfactorily demonstrated that the Minister signed or otherwise approved the lease agreement as required under Section 37 of the Act.”
The ruling gave the Kelly family a 90-day ultimatum to vacate the premises, potentially wiping out 15 years of massive capital investment.
Public Outcry and Investor Fears
The court’s decision was met with immediate backlash from the business community and the public. Laura Kelly, daughter of the investor, described the ordeal as a “bad dream,” confirming the family intends to take the fight to the Constitutional Court.
Critics argue that the state’s position is contradictory. Prominent lawyer Siphosami Malunga highlighted the absurdity of the situation on social media, questioning how the state could collect rent and allow undisturbed occupation for 15 years if no valid lease existed.
By stepping in now, the government is attempting to project a sense of stability. While the legal battle may continue in the highest courts, the Ministry’s involvement suggests that a political or administrative settlement might be the only way to save the country’s battered reputation regarding property rights and investment security.
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