Conservancies: who got what?
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Walter Mzembi, is one of
the biggest beneficiaries of the shady conservancy allotment exercise that
has attracted international condemnation.
03.10.12
03:19pm
by Thabani Dube
The Zimbabwean is in possession of a leaked updated document showing the
allocation of wildlife properties as at 15 June 2011. It lists Mzembi as
sharing the 16,975ha Eaglemont property in Chiredzi with one Noel Farai,
lease valid from 2008 to 2033.
Some countries have pointed out that the looting frenzy is in violation of
bilateral investment and property protection agreements between, with the EU
suggesting a tightening of targeted sanctions on individuals involved.
Mzembi has condemned the grabbing of conservancies by his counterparts in
Zanu (PF), saying it drove away tourists and tarnished the country’s image.
But Environment and Natural Resources Management Minister, Francis Nhema,
told The Zimbabwean that people should desist from “making a storm in a tea
cup” about it.
“Before 2000, these conservancies were run by a few individuals and now they
have been given to the masses. This will not affect tourism at all. The
media should rather be advocating against open defecation which has a more
bearing on tourist arrivals than concentrating on these conservancies.”
Other Zanu (PF) bigwigs named as beneficiaries of the takeover of
conservancies include Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa (6,210 ha of
Moreena Farm, a Midlands black rhino conservancy), former Deputy Minister
Obert Matshalaga (2,000 ha of South Shangani Farm Subdivision), Provincial
Governor Machaya (3,278 ha of Pitscottie Farm) and Cephas Msipa, a former
governor with 3,043 ha on South Shangani, another black rhino conservancy.
The list includes 69 properties in Masvingo leased to more than 250 Zanu
(PF) beneficiaries while the Midlands has 24 and Matabeleland North and
South provinces seven. The leaseholders were charged an administration fee
of $200 for the properties.
The document does not say how the properties were identified or whether the
erstwhile owners will be compensated. Mzembi has recently been under fire
from party colleagues, particularly in Masvingo, who accuse him of selling
out on the party.
The schedule includes a substantial number of chiefs and people bearing the
same surnames as Zanu (PF) beneficiaries, indicating the possibility of
nepotism. Common names appearing include the Malulekes, Baloyis and Hungwes
from Masvingo and Nkomos from Matabeleland.
Other beneficiaries
Senior party official July Moyo, Vice President John Nkomo, Joshua Malinga,
Manicaland party stalwart Enock Pourisingazi, Attorney General Johannes
Tomana, Army chief of staff, Major General Engelbert Rugeje, Masvingo.
Provincial Governor and Resident Minister, Titus Maluleke, former governor
Josiah Hungwe, Shuvai Mahof a and Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, the COPAC
co-chairperson, Paul Chimedza, Fortune Charumbira, leader of Chiefs’
Council. The majority of these beneficiaries are already on the EU sanctions
list, but if the bloc were to go ahead and include the rest, it would see a
ballooning of the number of affected Zanu (PF) members.