Zanu PF Factions Take Save Conservancy Dispute to Courts
Blessing Zulu
31.08.2012
The fight between two Zanu-PF factions and owners of the Save Conservancy
has now spilled into the courts despite attempts by Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai and Vice President Joyce Mujuru to diffuse the tension.
The European Union has warned that the latest invasion has the potential of
tarnishing Zimbabwe’s image ahead of next year’s congress of the World
Tourism Organization to be hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Environment Minister Francis Nhema drew fire from cabinet colleagues after
he handed land and hunting leases to 25 individuals, mostly senior Zanu-PF
officials, who also benefited from the country’s controversial land reforms
and other empowerment initiatives.
But Ttourism Minister Walter Mzembi accused his colleagues of “promoting
greed” and undermining one of the sectors credited with helping the country’s
economic recovery.
Founded in 1991 and running along the Save Rriver, the conservancy is a
habitat for elephant, zebra, giraffe as well as the country’s second largest
surviving population of endangered black rhinoceros.
Nhema told VOA that the warring parties are now counter-suing each other.
E-U Ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Arricia said they are disturbed by the
invasion.
Economist and former president of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of
Ccommerce, Luxson Zembe, said the latest invasion would affect Zimbabwe’s
economic recovery.
Meanwhile, the Mr. Tsvangirai’s party says police in Harare are trying to
block their rallies in the city claiming that a member of the MDC-T was
involved in violent activities targeting Zanu-PF supporters.
But, MDC organizing secretary Nelson Chamisa said the rally is going ahead
as planned.