Larry Benjamin Norton, a wildlife painter and conservationist based in Victoria Falls, is preparing to defend himself against a US$2 million lawsuit filed by Scanner Investments, the developers of Baines Restaurant. The conflict arises from Norton’s outspoken opposition to commercial developments within the protected ecological zones surrounding the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. Norton, a lifelong resident of Victoria Falls, has been a vocal critic of what he calls the “creeping commercialization” of the area. He has actively campaigned both legally and publicly against the expansion of businesses that he believes threaten the fragile environment of this 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. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) and the Environmental Management Agency were cited as respondents in the case, which remains pending judgment. Despite this, Scanner Investments proceeded with the construction, and the restaurant is now fully operational.
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. The developers allege that 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.
Norton responded by reaffirming his commitment to protecting Victoria Falls and confirmed receipt of the legal notice. He declared his intention to vigorously defend his position, stating that his battle is to protect and preserve the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site for future generations. He denied all suggestions of falsehood and malice and said he has left the matter in the hands of his lawyers as he awaits the legal process.
Norton’s environmental activism has intensified since early 2024, when he pressured Zimbabwean and Zambian authorities to address what he described as a surge of unchecked commercialization 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 jeopardizing the fragile riverine ecosystems and stressed the urgency of intervention to prevent permanent harm to one of Africa’s most celebrated natural wonders. He warned that if corrective measures are not taken, future generations would blame those who allowed the site to be destroyed.
The legal confrontation between Norton and Scanner Investments has sparked debate over balancing tourism-driven economic growth with ecological conservation. Supporters of commercial ventures argue that regulated development can enhance visitor experiences, create jobs, and generate revenue. Conversely, conservationists caution that unchecked infrastructure near sensitive habitats endangers biodiversity, compromises the site’s authenticity, and risks international condemnation.
Norton remains steadfast, insisting that the battle is about more than just a restaurant. He emphasizes that it concerns the soul of Victoria Falls a site that belongs not only to Zimbabwe and Zambia but to the entire world. Victoria Falls, locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya or “The Smoke that Thunders,” is a natural masterpiece where the Zambezi River plunges over 100 meters into a gorge, creating a thunderous roar and a 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 issue of commercial development within the World Heritage Site remain central to a contentious struggle between economic interests and environmental stewardship.
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