Top Victoria Falls restaurant seeks to gag vocal conservationist

A prominent conservationist who raised concerns over the construction of a restaurant just 35 metres from the Victoria Falls Rain Forest fence is facing a US$2 million lawsuit from the restaurant's owners, who are also seeking a court-imposed gag order against him.

Baines Restaurant and its owners, including Lawrence Norton, have been locked in ongoing legal battles over the establishment of the eatery near one of Zimbabwe's most iconic landmarks.

Norton has publicly opposed the restaurant's construction, arguing that it poses a threat to Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and could jeopardize its preservation for future generations.

In a High Court summons filed on May 16, Baines Restaurant stated that it had secured a lease agreement with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) in 2021 for a parcel of land near Victoria Falls to build the restaurant. According to Zimparks' official mapping, the site falls within a "yellow zone" where conditional construction of semi-permanent structures is permitted, provided the developers adhere to the authority's guidelines.

Baines said it complied fully with all required procedures, including conducting an environmental impact assessment and engaging in necessary consultations. The company noted that Norton had been challenging the project in courts since March 2022.

The restaurant's legal team accused Norton of launching a damaging smear campaign, both locally and internationally, which they say has hurt their business. They claim Norton has been spreading false information via newsletters on social media and other channels, urging potential customers to avoid Baines Restaurant on the grounds that it was built without following due process  -  allegations they deny.

The lawyers added that Norton had escalated his campaign by involving government authorities and submitting petitions internationally, including to UNESCO, based on what they call "falsehoods." Norton also appeared on a popular YouTube program, ‘In Conversation with Trevor,' where he allegedly misled viewers about the restaurant's approval process and hinted at corruption.

The restaurant insists it possesses all the relevant paperwork proving that all proper procedures were followed, which were submitted in response to Norton's now-dismissed main legal challenge.

As a result of Norton's campaign, Baines claims to have suffered significant financial losses, estimating current and projected losses at about US$1.42 million. Additionally, the defamatory remarks have, they say, tarnished the restaurant's brand, particularly associating it with environmental destruction, causing an estimated further US$800,000 in damages.

Baines is seeking a court order to prevent Norton from continuing to spread what they describe as falsehoods, as well as an injunction to stop him from giving interviews and campaigning against the restaurant. The company is demanding a total of US$2.22 million in damages for defamation.

The application is still pending, and Lawrence Norton has indicated his intention to defend himself in court.