Court nullifies safari operator agreement

High Court judge, Justice Tawanda Chitapi said although Suscade had been operating based on a 2017 agreement, the arrangement was defective as it was not signed by the responsible minister.

Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter

The High Court has nullified an agreement between Suscade Investments, a safari operator, and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority after it emerged that the 25-year-old lease agreement was entered without the concurrence of the parent Ministry as required by the law.

This followed an application by Environment, Climate and Wildlife then Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu and ZimParks that sought a nullification of the agreement.

High Court judge, Justice Tawanda Chitapi said although Suscade had been operating based on a 2017 agreement, the arrangement was defective as it was not signed by the responsible minister.

Its 25 years lifespan also violated the 20-year threshold as stated by the law.

Justice Chitapi directed that Suscade be interdicted from conducting fishing, game viewing or photographic safari in the Chewore North safari.

It was also ordered to vacate the area.

“In the absence of evidence that the minister signed the agreement or accepted the agreement, the matter ends there.

“The fact that Parks and Wildlife Management Authority acted on the agreement and/or collected rentals and treated it as valid does not validate the agreement. It was not shown that the minister was part of the deed of settlement or its negotiation,” said Justice Chitapi.