The Forestry Commission has arrested 11 people and confiscated 12 tonnes of firewood along the Harare-Masvingo highway as the nationwide blitz against illegal firwood traders continues.

The blitz is also targeting to curb charcoal production and trade which are illegal in Zimbabwe.

In August last year, the Forestry Commission launched a nationwide blitz targeting illegal dealers in firewood and charcoal targeting urban centres and growth points which are the ready markets for illegally obtained firewood, mostly harvested from peri-urban and communal areas.

Firewood dealers operate along major highways.

The blitz is a Government initiative being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality with the Forestry Commission as the lead agency, backed by the Environmental Management Agency, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, police and local authorities.

Forestry Commission spokesperson, Ms Violet Makoto yesterday said the nationwide firewood/charcoal blitz was continuing in 2022.

“The first hit is the Harare -Masvingo Highway which has a number of firewood vending hotspots.

“The Harare-Masvingo Highway was the first target and the highway blitz registered confiscation of about 12 tonnes of illegally — obtained firewood and apprehension of 11 people involved in the activities since the beginning of the blitz on Thursday.

“These patrols will become a regular activity for the Forestry Commission intensifying the efforts where hotspots emerge,” she said.

Ms Makoto said the blitz had been effective in reducing charcoal and firewood trade in the last quarter of last year.

“When one is caught on the wrong side of the law, not only are they apprehended but we also confiscate or seize the product. This is a loss to their perceived business or trade and it will take time for them to attempt to get back into the market.

“Consistent raids on this illegal industry is the only way to cripple them. The blitz has also been effective as an awareness campaign that has deterred would-be offenders,” she said.

More than 260 000 hectares of indigenous woodland and forests are destroyed each year through illegal wood cutting.