Conservancy land ‘beneficiary’ in poaching claim
By Alex Bell
26 October 2012
One of the ZANU PF ‘beneficiaries’ of conservancy land leases and hunting
licences is reportedly being investigated for poaching, as the future of the
Save Valley Conservancy remains unclear.
Former ZANU PF Minister and ‘war vet’ Shuvai Mahofa, referred to as the
Masvingo ‘Iron Lady’, is reportedly being investigated after a butchery she
allegedly runs in Gutu was raided by police. According to a NewsDay article,
three buffalo carcasses and other game meat was discovered.
Mahofa was one of a group of mainly ZANU PF linked individuals who were
granted a hunting licence by National Parks in August. She and the group of
so-called ‘indigenous farmers’ were given the licences and 25 year land
leases as part of the ZANU PF led indigenisation campaign.
Those who were handed leases at Save Valley include war vets leader Joseph
Chinotimba, Major General Gibson Mashingaidze, Major General Engelbert
Rugeje, Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke, ZANU PF
Masvingo provincial chairperson Lovemore Matuke, the late Higher Education
Minister Stan Mudenge, Health Deputy Minister Douglas Mombeshora; ZANU PF
central committee member Enock Porusingazi and ZANU PF MPs Alois Baloyi,
Abraham Sithole, Samson Mukanduri and Noel Mandebvu.
The group last year formed the ‘Masvingo Initiative’ which led a campaign of
intimidation and harassment against various land owners in the province.
During this campaign Mahofa seized the Savuli Ranch and this year evicted
the owners and their employees.
Mahofa has since given permission to some safari operators to hunt on Savuli
Ranch, granting them hunting quotas according to her newly issued licence.
Mahofa’s brother is understood to be a known bush meat trader and sources
have told SW Radio Africa that their butchery business in Gutu has been
thriving ever since Mahofa was given her hunting licence.
Some observers have suggested that targeting Mahofa is a result of ZANU PF
infighting she has now become tangled in. The saga around the Save Valley
has already pitted some members of ZANU PF against each other, with the
Walter Mzembi led Tourism Ministry facing off against Environment Minister
Francis Nhema.
Mzembi has suggested that the licences should be withdrawn until a full
investigation is done. It’s understood his position is one of damage
limitation ahead of the scheduled UN World Tourism Organisation conference
set for Victoria Falls next year. The situation at Save Valley Conservancy
has added to widespread criticism of Zimbabwe acting as the host of the
international meeting.
Nhema meanwhile has previously backed the handing over of the licences as a
progressive move for indigenisation. He has slammed Mzembi in interviews for
trying to change the situation.
Both Ministers were meanwhile part of a committee set up by the ZANU PF
politburo to try and calm tensions around the situation at the conservancy.
The committee was asked to look into the possibility of turning the
conservancy into a national park, which would effectively see the leases
being withdrawn. But, since its appointment, the committee has failed to
meet.
Johnny Rodrigues, the chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, told
SW Radio Africa that withdrawal the leases and putting a moratorium on
hunting was the best way to tackle the ongoing problem of poaching and
illegal hunting. He said a proper audit needs to be completed to ensure
hunting is controlled.
He meanwhile said that plans to turn the Conservancy into a national park
are part of efforts by the authorities to “hoodwink” people, into believing
that the situation is under control.
“They are trying to show the world that they are in control, particularly
with the UN meeting happening next year. But the reality is if the situation
is not brought under control, then we won’t have any wildlife left,”
Rodrigues warned.