Zanu PF supporters invade wildlife farms
By Oscar Nkala
Wednesday, 29 September 2010 15:50
BULAWAYO – A group led by Zanu PF supporters and war veterans has invaded
Denlynian and Tamari Wildlife farms in Beitbridge where they have ransacked
the places amid reports that property worth millions of dollars was looted.
The Daily News understands that the two farms have been decimated of
endangered wildlife species, while the fence that was used to protect
animals was stolen and 2000 hectares of virgin forest was destroyed by veld
fires.
The group, which calls itself the ‘Zhovhe Conservancy Society’ is said to be
composed of civil servants, members of the army, the police, the Central
Intelligence Organisation (CIO), Beitbridge Rural District Council staff and
Zanu PF activists.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Conservation Taskforce (ZCTF) chairman Johnny
Rodrigues expressed dismay at the continued invasion of wildlife farms and
the wanton destruction of property, including endangered game species at the
farms.
“It is now ten years since the implementation of the land reform programme
and the very few game farms left are still being invaded. The invaders have
spent the last ten years vandalising the properties and slaughtering the
wildlife that was previously abundant.
“They have especially targeted zebra and eland. The eland population has
dropped from 973 in 2000 to 374 – a drop of 560 animals and the zebra
population has fallen from 871 to 163 animals, a drop of 708 animals,”
Rodrigues said.
He added that the invaders are creating an ecological disaster, destroying
nearly 200 hectares of trees to open up land for tillage when the land is
only fit for wildlife farming.
“The ecosystem is now so fragile that if the land is tilled, the soil will
end up in the river. Seven kilometres of 16 strand game fence has been
stolen to make snares. We have received information that seven animals were
killed last week comprising eland, wildebeest, impala and the slaughter is
continuing.”
He said the owners of the invaded game farms had checked with the Deeds
Registry office and found no organisation registered as the Zhovhe
Conservancy Co-operative. The invaders have also reportedly ignored several
court orders to leave the farm, and the police, who are among the invaders,
have so far refused to enforce the court orders.
Environment minister Francis Nhema declined to comment on the developments
in Beitbridge saying he could only do so after receiving a full report on
the situation from his officers on the ground. “For now I cannot comment
because no one has raised the issue with me. It’s news to me,” Nhema said.
The ongoing plunder of wildlife, particularly elephants, rhinos and zebras
has grown into a highly lucrative industry and security forces and
government officials have been implicated in many detailed reports.
However, no one has been arrested and there are no indications that the
state will be swooping on the high profile poachers who still walk the
corridors of power in this country.