Zanzibar terminates land lease offered to British developer

Unguja. The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (SMZ) has terminated a land lease held by British property developer Pennyroyal Limited in Matemwe, the developer has announced.

The land in question was a 411 hectares where the Blue Amber resort project was under construction with first phase delivery of units initially set for December 2022.

The termination was followed by a letter on July 25, from the Zanzibar Investment Promotion Authority (ZIPA) informing Pennyroyal Limited that it will not renew its construction permit following the termination of leasehold by the Ministry of Lands.

On September 5, while addressing a monthly press conference at State House, President Hussein Mwinyi said the land lease had been terminated following a court case which the developer lost.

“What I know is that there was a case which was filed with some people claiming that the land was their but the details are with respective authorities,” said President Mwinyi.

In a statement issued by Pennyroyal, on Sunday September 11, the developer says that as a result they were left with no option but to terminate their operations at the site, in the process sending home 60 workers and closure of offices.