News / National
Victoria Falls conservationist faces $2 million lawsuit
30 May 2025 at 12:17hrs | Views
Victoria Falls-based wildlife painter and conservationist Larry Benjamin Norton is preparing to defend himself against a US$2 million lawsuit filed by Scanner Investments, the developers of Baines Restaurant. The dispute stems from Norton's outspoken opposition to commercial developments within the protected ecological zones surrounding the iconic Victoria Falls World Heritage Site.
Norton, a lifelong resident of Victoria Falls, has been a vocal critic of what he describes as the "creeping commercialisation" of the area. He has actively campaigned both legally and publicly against the expansion of businesses that he believes threaten the fragile environment of the UNESCO-designated site. In 2022, Norton filed a High Court application seeking to halt further construction of Baines Restaurant, arguing that such developments would cause irreversible damage to the site's ecological and aesthetic integrity. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) and the Environmental Management Agency were cited as respondents in the case, which remains pending judgment.
In retaliation, Scanner Investments launched a defamation suit on May 16, accusing Norton of spreading false claims and damaging the restaurant's reputation and business prospects. According to court documents, the developers allege Norton, through newsletters on social media and via surrogates, encouraged potential clients locally and internationally to avoid the restaurant, claiming it was built without following due process - allegations the company says are untrue.
Responding to the lawsuit, Norton issued a statement reaffirming his commitment to protecting Victoria Falls. He confirmed receipt of the legal notice and declared his intention to vigorously defend his position. "My ardent battle here has been to try to protect and preserve the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site for future generations," Norton said. "My lawyers have instructions to defend the matter as all suggestions of falsehood and malice are not true. I now leave the issue in their hands as I wait for the law to take its course."
Norton's environmental activism has intensified in recent years, especially since early 2024 when he pressured Zimbabwean and Zambian authorities to address what he called a surge of unchecked commercialisation threatening the heritage status of the falls. His appeals coincided with meetings of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), a bilateral group tasked with safeguarding the shared heritage site. UNESCO had previously warned that infrastructure developments on both sides of the border risked Victoria Falls being delisted as a World Heritage Site.
During a presentation to the JTC, Norton highlighted numerous developments jeopardising the fragile riverine ecosystems. He stressed the urgency of intervention to prevent permanent harm to one of Africa's most celebrated natural wonders. "If corrective remedy is not taken, future generations will blame those who allowed the site to be destroyed," he warned.
The legal confrontation between Norton and Scanner Investments has sparked renewed debate over balancing tourism-driven economic growth and ecological conservation. Supporters of commercial ventures argue that regulated development can improve visitor experiences, create employment, and generate revenue. Conversely, conservationists caution that unchecked infrastructure near sensitive habitats endangers biodiversity, compromises the site's authenticity, and invites international condemnation.
Norton remains steadfast in his fight, insisting that the battle goes beyond a single restaurant. "This is not just about a restaurant," he said. "It is about the soul of Victoria Falls - a site that belongs not only to Zimbabwe and Zambia, but to the whole world."
Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or "The Smoke that Thunders," is a living masterpiece where the Zambezi River plunges over 100 metres into a gorge, creating a thunderous roar and a perpetual mist that sustains a unique rainforest ecosystem. Norton's campaign seeks to preserve this living cathedral of nature, protecting its rare flora and fauna, and the timeless awe it inspires.
As the legal battle unfolds, the future of Baines Restaurant and the broader question of commercial development within the World Heritage Site remain at the heart of a contentious struggle between economic interests and environmental stewardship.
Norton, a lifelong resident of Victoria Falls, has been a vocal critic of what he describes as the "creeping commercialisation" of the area. He has actively campaigned both legally and publicly against the expansion of businesses that he believes threaten the fragile environment of the UNESCO-designated site. In 2022, Norton filed a High Court application seeking to halt further construction of Baines Restaurant, arguing that such developments would cause irreversible damage to the site's ecological and aesthetic integrity. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) and the Environmental Management Agency were cited as respondents in the case, which remains pending judgment.
In retaliation, Scanner Investments launched a defamation suit on May 16, accusing Norton of spreading false claims and damaging the restaurant's reputation and business prospects. According to court documents, the developers allege Norton, through newsletters on social media and via surrogates, encouraged potential clients locally and internationally to avoid the restaurant, claiming it was built without following due process - allegations the company says are untrue.
Responding to the lawsuit, Norton issued a statement reaffirming his commitment to protecting Victoria Falls. He confirmed receipt of the legal notice and declared his intention to vigorously defend his position. "My ardent battle here has been to try to protect and preserve the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site for future generations," Norton said. "My lawyers have instructions to defend the matter as all suggestions of falsehood and malice are not true. I now leave the issue in their hands as I wait for the law to take its course."
Norton's environmental activism has intensified in recent years, especially since early 2024 when he pressured Zimbabwean and Zambian authorities to address what he called a surge of unchecked commercialisation threatening the heritage status of the falls. His appeals coincided with meetings of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC), a bilateral group tasked with safeguarding the shared heritage site. UNESCO had previously warned that infrastructure developments on both sides of the border risked Victoria Falls being delisted as a World Heritage Site.
The legal confrontation between Norton and Scanner Investments has sparked renewed debate over balancing tourism-driven economic growth and ecological conservation. Supporters of commercial ventures argue that regulated development can improve visitor experiences, create employment, and generate revenue. Conversely, conservationists caution that unchecked infrastructure near sensitive habitats endangers biodiversity, compromises the site's authenticity, and invites international condemnation.
Norton remains steadfast in his fight, insisting that the battle goes beyond a single restaurant. "This is not just about a restaurant," he said. "It is about the soul of Victoria Falls - a site that belongs not only to Zimbabwe and Zambia, but to the whole world."
Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or "The Smoke that Thunders," is a living masterpiece where the Zambezi River plunges over 100 metres into a gorge, creating a thunderous roar and a perpetual mist that sustains a unique rainforest ecosystem. Norton's campaign seeks to preserve this living cathedral of nature, protecting its rare flora and fauna, and the timeless awe it inspires.
As the legal battle unfolds, the future of Baines Restaurant and the broader question of commercial development within the World Heritage Site remain at the heart of a contentious struggle between economic interests and environmental stewardship.
Source - Zimbabwe Independent
