Zanu-PF criticises tourist site invasion
JASON MOYO – Jan 28 2011 11:41
The invasion on January 21 of lakeside resorts around Chivero, Harare’s most
popular weekend retreat and the city’s main water source, has been a major
embarrassment to a country still trying to convince the world it is moving
away from its violent past.
But the invasions also reveal how simmering tension among the poor,
frustrated by how fast the gap between rich and poor has widened under the
unity government, can easily be exploited by political figures.
More than 100 people arrived at the Kuimba Shiri bird sanctuary on the
shores of the lake, barricading entrances to the property and to dozens of
other resorts on the banks of the lake.
The attacks were a further knock to Zimbabwe’s already tattered
international image and raised fears of similar invasions elsewhere. Owner
Gary Stafford said the group was not violent but demanded to take an
inventory of all the resort’s assets, supposedly in preparation for a
takeover under black empowerment laws. Stafford’s resort is home to a
world-renowned bird sanctuary.
The invasion provided yet another example of Zimbabwe’s many contrasting
faces. Just as it began, tourism minister Walter Mzembi, seen as a Zanu-PF
reformer, was in Madrid, Spain, launching a new marketing campaign to try to
convince wary European tour operators that the image of Zimbabwe as a
lawless wasteland is exaggerated.
The campaign, under the motto “Zimbabwe, World of Wonder”, would be taken to
“every tourism fair around the world this year”, said Tesa Chikaponya,
marketing manager of the state tourism promotion agency. Tourism has been
one of the key industries to see some recovery under the unity government,
so the invasions were a major setback.
Agreement between SA and Zimbabwe
Stafford, a South African, should be protected from such takeovers under an
investment protection agreement between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Even
Zanu-PF acknowledged how bad the invasions look and criticised them. Police,
who have traditionally refused to intervene in farm invasions, drove the
invaders off the properties on Sunday.
The obvious economic disparities in the area provide a ripe breeding ground
for further conflict. The clubs and resorts around Chivero are a favourite
haunt for Harare’s jet set, who often host wild open-air parties that go on
well into the night.
From the banks of the lake several clubs host waterskiing and jet ski
tournaments and regattas. On an overlooking hill large mansions have
sweeping views of the lake.
But a short distance away from the resorts and exclusive clubs impoverished
fishing communities live off the lake, casting out daily in rusty dugout
canoes on illegal fishing trips, chased by park warders and arrested for
poaching. They are required to have special fishing licences to be allowed
to fish, but few can afford the fees. Their catch is sold on the sides of
highways and in Harare’s poor townships.
Aaron Mazvi, the war veteran and local community organiser who led the
invasion, argued that the action was taken on behalf of nearby communities.
Among Mazvi’s comrades were local fishmongers and vendors, including some
women carrying babies.
In line with the country’s empowerment laws Mazvi argued, the clubs and
resorts in the area should be seized and handed over to local communities
and run by traditional leaders. He said he wrote a letter last week on
behalf of the “Zvimba community at large” to the minister of lands, Herbert
Murerwa, notifying him of his group’s intention to “take over properties
along the lower and upper reaches of Lake Chivero”.
Poor communities are easy fodder for local bigwigs eyeing a piece of the
lucrative tourism concessions in the area. Some claim the mob was driven by
Patrick Zhuwawo, Robert Mugabe’s nephew and the MP in the area, but he and
his party denied any involvement.
The invasions were the work of “criminal elements”, Ignatius Chombo, the
local government minister, said. But there was little doubt about who the
invaders themselves support — they wore Zanu-PF regalia and chanted party
slogans as they entered the facilities.
The Chivero invasions are the second such attack on a tourist site. A week
earlier a mob invaded tourist lodges in Nyanga, in the eastern highlands,
popular for their mountain views and hiking trails.