A 73-year-old investor, Terry William Kelly, has lost his Chewore Lodge in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley after the Supreme Court cancelled his 25-year lease agreement. Kelly had operated the high-end safari destination for 15 years through his company, Suscaden Investments, under two leases and a settlement agreement with ZimParks.
The court’s decision was based on the lack of clear approval from the responsible minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who denied signing the lease despite her signature appearing on the document. The ruling has sparked concerns about property rights and investment security in Zimbabwe, with critics warning it may deter future investments.
Kelly, who had invested millions of dollars into the lodge, now faces eviction without compensation, a situation his daughter described as devastating. The family is exploring options to take the matter to the Constitutional Court.
The case highlights the challenges of doing business in Zimbabwe, where bureaucratic failures can have severe consequences for investors.
Would you like to know more about the implications of this ruling on Zimbabwe’s investment climate or the potential next steps for Kelly and Suscaden Investments?