Mutambara kicks out German envoy
By Richard Chidza, Staff Writer
Thursday, 24 January 2013 11:59
HARARE – Deputy Premier Arthur Mutambara ejected German ambassador to
Zimbabwe Hans Gunter Gnodkte from his office last week, after he protested
the seizure of Save Valley Conservancies protected under bilateral
agreements.
Gnodkte confirmed to the Daily News that Mutambara had abruptly terminated
their meeting.
“What I can say is I had a scheduled meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister
last week on Friday,” Gnodkte said.
“I had asked to meet him in his capacity as the chairperson of the
ministerial committee that is trying to find a solution to the problems in
the Save Wildlife Sanctuary.
“You might be aware that a German, Wilfried Pabst is a major investor in the
conservancy and is protected by Bilateral Investment Promotion and
Protection Agreements (BIPPAs). The meeting raised controversial issues and
the DPM abruptly ended it.”
The German envoy refused to state what exactly had caused the diplomatic
tiff.
Insiders told the Daily News Mutambara had blown his top after the illegal
expropriations were raised in the meeting.
“Mutambara threw the German ambassador out of his office in the presence of
the European Union Ambassador,” our source said.
“Both were making representations on the issue of government or National
Parks continuing to illegally hold back hunting permits for the Save Valley
as well as the Bubye Conservancy. I understand the PM apologized but the DPM
was out of control.”
The fight has also reportedly attracted the attention of Prime Minister
Morgan Tsvangirai, who is now trying to mediate.
Two weeks ago, Gnodtke warned that his country and other European countries
may boycott the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general
assembly to be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in August, in protest over
the decimation of the Save Valley conservancies, properties protected
under overseas government-to-government agreements.
Mutambara meanwhile would not be drawn into commenting about the stand-off,
despite promises since last Saturday to return calls.
Mutambara kicks out German envoy Tsvangirai’s spindoctors were unreachable
yesterday as they were away in Davos Switzerland attending the World
Economic Forum.
Mutambara heads a ministerial committee that is supposed to find a solution
to the emotive issue of the Save wildlife sanctuary — currently under siege
from a group of Zanu PF politicians now known as the “Masvingo 37”.
The group is invading the private properties under a murky policy known as
the wildlife-based land reform.
Tourism minister Walter Mzembi fighting to preserve and even grow the
country’s battered image ahead of the UNWTO tourism extravaganza.