We’re not here to punish Harare: CITES chief
http://www.zimonline.co.za/
by Own Correspondent Thursday 11 February 2010
HARARE – CITES secretary general Willem Wijnstekers on Wednesday said his visit to Zimbabwe is meant to help rather than punish Harare, as he began his official business in the southern African country.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) chief jetted into Harare late Monday accompanied by the conservation watchdog’s chief enforcement officer responsible for providing technical advice and support in relation to the enforcement of the Convention, John Sellar.
“We are not here to punish but to help,” said Wijnstekers, adding that he wanted to get first hand information on poaching statistics which have been circulated in the media.
Wijnstekers will hold meetings with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Tourism Minister Francis Nhema, police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri and other top government officials to discuss the high levels of poaching in the country.
He also said his visit to Save Conservancy after his arrival was on the invitation of the owner of Sango Ranch. The CITES boss was accompanied to Save Conservancy by European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe Xavier Machal and Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Director General Morris Mtsambiwa.
Zimbabwean officials had last week expressed displeasure that the CITES chief would tour the white-owned game conservancy during his visit to the country, saying it would influence his assessment of the country’s wildlife situation in favour of private interests.
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority director for conservation Vitalis Chadenga also welcomed the visit to the country by Wijnstekers saying it helps to put the poaching speculation to rest.
”We welcome the SG’s visit as it affords us an opportunity to put the record straight concerning poaching particularly of Black Rhinos,” he said.
“While the country has witnessed poaching cases some media reports were clearly exaggerated and it is critically important that we separate the facts from fiction.”
Wijnstekers is expected to announce the findings of his visit today.
Poaching has been rife in Zimbabwe since landless black villagers began invading – with tacit approval from the government – white-owned farms and game conservancies over the past nine years.
There has also been an upsurge in the poaching of endangered species such as the rhino targeted for its horn that is exported mainly to China and Vietnam where it is in huge demand.
The situation has not been helped by reports of illegal and uncontrolled trophy hunting on former white-owned conservancies now controlled by powerful government officials and ZANU PF politicians although the
government denies politicians are illegally hunting game and insists it still has poaching under control. – ZimOnline