Zanu PF power tussle chokes conservancy
http://www.theindependent.co.zw/
Thursday, 26 August 2010 19:48
POWER tussles between two rival Zanu PF factions are threatening the
viability of a wildlife-rich conservancy in Marondera after the party’s
government ministers failed to evict supporters who invaded the animal
sanctuary this week, the Zimbabwe Independent has learnt.
Authoritative sources told the Independent yesterday that Wildlife and
Natural Resources minister Francis Nhema, Parks and Wildlife Management
Authority director-general Vitals Chadenga, and Campfire director Charles
Jonga visited Domersville Farm in Marondera on Wednesday to resolve the
issue, but failed.
Nhema had reportedly asked for the intervention of Mashonaland West governor
Aneas Chigwedere, the area legislator and Deputy Minister of Labour and
Social Welfare Tracy Mutinhiri and Zanu PF Mashonaland East chairman Ray
Kaukonde, to evict the invaders.
The scheduled meeting between Nhema, his delegate and the three provincial
leaders, the sources said, flopped after Kaukonde, Mutinhiri and Chigwedere
did not turn up as they allegedly viewed the eviction of the farmers as a
move to pursue Defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa’s agenda.
Kaukonde, Mutinhiri and Chigwedere are reportedly Vice-President Joice
Mujuru’s allies in the deeply divided Zanu PF where Mnangagwa and Mujuru’s
husband Solomon are rivals.
“Nhema’s efforts to evict the families from the Domersville Farm were in
vain because his Zanu PF counterparts were not cooperative,” said the
source.
The Zanu PF supporters occupied the wildlife rich Agos Farm, which is under
Domersville Ranch, threatening wildlife at Elderado, Imire and Matope Farms
in the province.
Government sources said wildlife farms invasions were a threat to the game
population with reports of settlers poaching the animals.
“We wonder why ministers from Mashonaland East did not support Nhema,” said
the official. “It’s sad that the ministers are playing politics instead of
addressing the issue with urgency. The invasions in Marondera must be
stopped.”
Nhema, Jonga and Chadenga, sources said, approached the invaders to persuade
them to leave the property, but faced stiff resistance.
“The families who occupied the farm told Nhema and his delegation that they
were waiting to be allocated land by the Marondera district administrator,”
said the source.
Chadenga yesterday confirmed that he received reports of wildlife farm
invasions in Mashonaland East, but insisted that he did not see the settlers
during the visit with Nhema.
“We will monitor the situation and if necessary, we will deploy game
rangers,” he said.
Domersville Farm boasts of plains game – zebras, giraffes, waterbucks and
impala.
Nhema yesterday confirmed that he visited Domersville Farm, but downplayed
the farm invasions, saying he was assessing a Campfire project.
The chaotic land invasions, which began in 2000 and were spearheaded by war
veterans, are blamed for the collapse of the agriculture sector.
Kaukonde could not comment as he was said to be in a meeting while
Chigwedere and Mutinhiri were not reachable.
The invasion of wildlife farms in Mashonaland East comes against the
backdrop of rampant poaching and looting at Denlynian and Tamari Wildlife
sanctuary in Beitbridge.
The land invasions have benefited Zanu PF supporters at the expense of
experienced white commercial farmers. Efforts by white farmers through the
courts to reclaim their properties have failed as President Mugabe’s cronies
defy court orders.
Brian Chitemba