Name and shame: Charles Davy ZANU-PF sponsor, partner, hunter
Tuesday, 04 January 2011 13:26 Editor News
Investigative reporter
HARARE – When most white landowners were scurrying for cover from marauding
Zanu PF youths, one Charles Davy was enjoying himself at Matetsi Wildlife
Enterprises. A hunter by day and a Zanu PF collaborator by night aptly
describes the man behind the name, Charles Davy.
To many, he is an animal saviour. He owns many conservatives from Matetsi to
Zambia. Charles Davy is a hunter, an animal philanthropist, is that all? Far
from it.
Six months of undercover investigations on Charles Davy revealed that he has
funded Zanu PF since 2002 and has partnered senior Zanu PF officials in
illicit rhino horn trade. The officials are Webster Shamu and Emmerson
Mnangagwa.
A confidential report acquired by this reporter confirmed the above.
Circumstances are that at the beginning of Zimbabwe’s land reform program
found his vast business empire threatened. President Mugabe and Zanu PF
targeted white landowners. To this end, Davy hatched a plan to save his
land. Paying homage to the militia party that was terrorizing blacks and
whites alike became his master plan and key to his continued stay.
It marked the beginning of his marriage with Zanu PF. Despite spirited
denials by Mr. Davy, secret documents have exposed what he really is. He has
not only funded terror to save his wildlife business but he has treated his
workers worse than animals. One of his former workers had this to say, “At
one time our pay was less than US 15 cents per month and many of us slept on
bare floors without blankets. We couldn’t do anything, because he told us
that President Mugabe ‘knew’ him. We just suffered”
In July of 2009 Mr. Davy met with President Mugabe. The meeting was arranged
by Minister Mnangagwa. The report says that Webster Shamu and Mr Davy have
met several times in Chegutu, twice in July 2010. Again, Mr. Davy has
managed to meet President Rupiah Banda of Zambia and DRC Joseph Kabila in
the course of his ‘business’.
HHK Safaris surprised many when they solely landed all government owned
concessions. But the truth was Mr. Davy had paid a fortune which sources in
the state security organ peg at a whopping USD44 000 in 2001. The money was
crucial in President Mugabe’s presidential crusade that left many dead,
raped and homeless. To Davy, the money meant concessions.
His concessions covered central Midlands, Matetsi safaris, Sabi area, the
south western and south eastern of lake Kariba and some parts of Gonarezhou
in the lowveld. HHK safaris became the marketing arm on behalf of several
Zanu PF owned concessions. Famba Safaris owned by
Webster Shamu, Khanondo owned by Obert Mpofu, Unit 6 owned by General
Chiwenga among others.
Recent security reports implicate Mr. Davy and his accomplices in illegal
rhino trade. According to a secret report in our possession army
intelligence officers led by one Colonel Dube based at Defence
House in Harare provide guns and helicopter. On the other hand Ministers
Shamu and Mnangagwa cushion the groups from any prosecution and arrests.
Joceline Chiwenga, wife to Army General Constantine Chiwenga is fingered in
the secret report as part of the rhino horn racket.
According to the secret reports Chirisa is owned by Famba Safaris in which
Minister Shamu is a significant shareholder, Unit 1 and Kasibi held by
Matetsi Wildlife, Chete owned by Burmakino Travel and Tours, Omay by
National Safaris and Lemco owned by Mazunga Safari. The report further
alleges that HHK Safaris represent Famba Safaris internationally.
In the report proceeds from Famba Safaris have been managed and distributed
using Matetsi bank accounts. Zanu PF’s Shamu and Mr. Davy are approved the
transaction. Traced transactions point to international transfers handled
and destined for offshore accounts in the United Kingdom, South Africa and
Switzerland the report further alleges.
In his homage Mr Davy funded part of Mnangagwa’s 2005 election campaign and
footed all costs of Shamu’s campaign in 2005. Again, Mr Davy donated
undisclosed amounts in foreign currency to Shamu for his 2008 campaign.
The report further reveals that In May 2008 Charles Davy met Shamu at Wild
Geese lodge near Mazowe. The meeting was for his donation to Zanu PF
Mashonaland West campaign. The money was handed over to then Mash Wet
Chairman John Mafa.
The secret Intelligence report points to Charles Davy as being involved in
the smuggling of ivory to China and Vietnam using his Chinese links in Asia.
Two individuals have been involved, one Lee Hu Ming and a businessman now
with Sino Zim. Information at hand shows the involvement of army
intelligence from Harare’s Defence House as well as from 1 Commando base. At
Defense House Mr. Davy’s contact is Col Dube.
In the operation army Helicopters disguised as army Red Cross ambulances or
test flights land in Hwange National Park to pick ivory belonging to Charles
Davy and partners. Secret details from the
National Parks show that Mr. Davy’s has sold trophies extending him into
areas under government jurisdiction. Action against him on account of orders
from Hon Mnangagwa and Shamu
The report show commandos hired from 1 Commando Barracks stay at HKK Safaris
when poaching in Hwange National. In many other cases they are given
accommodation at Matetsi or Bubye.
NB: In our next issue we will publish the secret document.