ZIMBABWE
JULY 2003
Due to the land reform programme of the present government, poaching and
illegal hunting on illegally acquired farms, has become rife. With most
of the rightful property owners evicted from their properties, there is no
law and order over the poaching and uncontrolled hunting that is taking
place - ITS NOW CARTE BLANCHE OUT THERE.
One such area that has been affected is the Gwaai Valley Conservancy, in
western Zimbabwe. Early this month (July) all farmers in this area,
which borders Hwange National Park, were evicted. The Conservancy has now
fallen prey to unscrupulous hunting/safari operators from neighbouring South
Africa and Botswana. Other areas affected are Bubiana Conservancy, Matetsi and
West Nicholson.
Gwaai Valley Conservancy
Herewith, a list of some A2 beneficiaries in this area.

1/ Lot 1 Dete Valley Farm
a/ Ruben Makanla - used to work for the International Red Cross.
b/ Jabulani Mpof u

2/ Lot 2 Dete Valley - Lanamie Ranch
a/ Eternity Trading (Pvt) Ltd - J. Moyo - Director
3/ Lot 3 Dete Valley (Lion Ranch)
a/ Mrs Alice Nkomo (Mzingili Safaris) - vehicle registration 41CD3Z
b/ Cain Matema (Ambassador to Zambia)
4/ Sikumi Estates
a/ Jacob Mudenda
b/ Clifford Sibanda
c/ Prisca Utete
5/ Farm 31 - Railway Farm
a/ Headman Sibanda - ex National Parks
6/ Antoinette
a/ Alexas Chiasa
b/ David Ntini Mhlanga
7/ Goodluck Ranch
a/ Mark Russell - works for National Parks
b/ Headman Moyo
8/ Farm 35 - Railway Farm
a/ Masala Sibanda
9/ Chamankanu Farm
a/ Chris Dube - operating out of Hwange Safari Lodge
b/ Joel Matema - store and beer outlet in Lupani
c/ Bernard Lodlo - works for Lupani District Council
10/ Lugo Ranch
11/ Sotani Ranch
Tshuma Ncube - beneficiary
Chief Mubikwa
National parks employee's working there - ie the gardener
12/ Skukunwa
13/ Hankano Ranch
14/ Umkombo
15/ Karna Block/Comwood Ranch
16/ Gwaai Ranch
17/ Karna Block West/Tsakaruka Safaris
Chief Joseph Dingani
18/ Karna Block East
Dr Zhisiiri - officer in charge Mat North - Veterinary Department.

Unauthorized Hunting/Safari Operators, operating in the Gwaai Conservancy:

South African operators:-

Company:- Out of Africa Safaris
Dawie Groenwaldt
Janeman Groenwaldt
Glen Van Rensburg
Nick Van Rensburg
Zimbabwe connection/operator - E K Safaris (Ed Kadzombe)
Jacob Mudenda
Professional Hunters:- Albert Padarizi - ex National Parks Pilot
:- Dawie Van Der Westhuizen (from Karoi)
American Agent:- Richard Putman from Seminole, Alabama
Website:- www.seminolesafaris.com
Hunts on Goodluck Farm.
Vehicle numbers:- DDM850N & MWF519N

Company:- Northern Weapons in Louis Trichardt
Piet Uys
Hendrik Uys
Vehicle registration numbers:- MWZ918GP - landcruiser p/up.
FBD185N - white Toyota twincab.
DPK173N - beige Land Cruiser p/up.
Hunted on:- Goodluck, Railway Farm 37, Hankana Ranch, Gwaai Ranch
Company:-
Andre de Jaager
R M Saunders - resides at Jacks Rand Heart - Alberton
Zimbabwe connection/operator - Elephant Eye Safaris
Was seen with 3 American hunters
Vehicle registration number: DMT498GP - Blue Landrover
Zimbabwe operators:-
Company:- Zim Africa Safaris
Shawn Steyn
Partner:- Joshua Nkomo's daughter
Hunted on Railway Farm 31 which is owned by Delta Corporation/Zim Suns
Company:- Lalapanzi Safaris
Professional hunters - Jed Moyo
Ben Matawadzi - owner
Been hunting on Antionette
Ivory Safaris
PH's - Bagman Chauke - hunting on farm LOT 1
Jerome Sefredi - French national selling hunts to French fraternity.
Jerome's vehicle registration number:- 797-669F

Company:- Zengela Safaris
They are using Mr D Chatham's hunter operators licence (licence number 0008).
and on their prehunts have put the name Ugere/bo (Pvt) Ltd.
National Parks signed a blank prehunt form and on another the company
"Dream Merchant Safaris - Box 56 Dete, was used, but no client information and
it does not state what farm the hunt was taking place.
They also have a prehunt form for a hippo.
Professional Hunter:- Headman Ncube

Company:- Inyati Hunters
Enio di Palma - owner
Jacob Mudenda - consultant/associate
Mr Evans - managing director
Been hunting on Goodluck

Company:- Clapalark Safaris
Operating in Matetsi and Kadoma

Company:- Curtain up Enterprises
New beneficiaries of Goodluck.
They have a Dete postbox and have been hunting on Goodluck.

National Parks staff taking a part in the operations
Elias Marfu - warden at main camp - Malinde farm
Headman Sibanda - retired
Albert Paradzi - pilot - has left
Bagman Chouke - has left
Mark Russell - senior ranger Sinamatella
Mark Russell was recently seen driving a National Parks vehicle loaded with a full fuel drum and fuel containers from Sinamatella camp (Hwange National Park) to Goodluck farm.

Veterinary staff involved
Dr Zhisiiri - Officer in charge Mat North.

Zimbabwe operators seen operating in this area.
Mark Sparrow
Wayne Grant

Quota irregularities
Gwaai Conservancy and ICA (Intensive Conservation Area) does not allow
hunting of Hippo, reedbuck, Grysbok. Bushbuck under special permit.
Hippo and reedbuck are on quota's for this area this season.
A bushbuck was shot on Antionette farm without a permit.
Giraffe have also been put on the quota for Lot 1 of Dete Valley. This
quota was issued to Game View Safaris. P O Box 400 - Bulawayo. The
size of the property is incorrect on the quota form.

One lioness was shot on Lot 1 of Dete Valley. No lioness on quota for
this property.
The Conservancy policy does not allow tuskless and female elephants on
quota. They have now been put on quota.
It was stated on the quota that "no hunting in the Dete Vlei or close to the lodges". A lioness was shot on Dete Vlei, by the windmill on Forestry boundry. The lioness was collared. The collar was tracked and found at the homstead of Buck de Vries.
A bull elephant was shot on lot 1 Dete farm by Ruben Makanla's client.
Animals shot in this area
Antionette Farm owned by Sikumi (Pty) Ltd - 2 Lioness and 3 male lions - these were well known. One of the collared lions was shot by a Russian client. (Viktor Dmitrienko)
Matapula hunters (Client) shot one male lion.
Mr De Jaager wounded a buffalo on Sotani ranch.
1 hand reared female buffalo - axed on the head and killed.
A bushbuck was shot on Antionette farm, with no quota. There has never been a quota on this
property for bushbuck.

Poaching activities reported
One of the worst reports received is around the dam on Sotani Ranch. 17
buffalo and 2 sable were found in a snare line.
2 eland cows and a kudu snared two days after the departure of Mr de
Vries at the waterhole in front of the camp on Lion ranch.
Other activities in this area
Bindonvale\Carlisa (owned by a German National)
Clifford Sibanda and Mark Russell ransacked the camp and took all the teak
furniture for their operation. Removed all the window and door frames.
Fencing has also been stolen.
Sikumi Estate - Crocodile farm. The crocodiles went without food for 10
days, as the property owner was not allowed onto the property. The
crocodiles started eating each other.
2000 crocodiles have died as they were not fed since 21 June 03.
Lion Ranch - Two tame lions went without food for 10 days, as the
property owner was not allowed onto the property.
A tracking collar off a lioness (Lion research collar), was found in the
homestead on Lot 2 Dete Valley Farm.
Hunters are reported to be staying at Hwange Safari Lodge. One of the
companies is Out of Africa Safaris.
24 July 03 - 3 South African Landcruises were seen in the area. All
vehicles had removed their number plates. A occupant of one vehicle
were seen bribing the official at the veterinary road block.Another was
seen driving onto Goodluck Farm.

Vehicle numbers

These vehicles were involved in the eviction of the farmers and their
workers
765-949C - Zanu PF
777 475F - Zanu PF
779 269F - Zanu PF
781 098T - Zanu PF
779 064H - Zanu PF

Weapons
Two shotguns and a 223 rifle were stolen from Lions Den on the night of
the eviction. The following day the police came and took all the weapons and
ammunition from this property. No ZRP receipt was given. They also searched the
offices.
An AK47 and two pistols were seen on War Veterans, the night of the evictions from Lions Den.

Staff
On Lions Den the staff were evicted from their homes on 21 June 03 at 18h30 and made to stand out in the cold (our coldest and wet winter in 30 years) till 1am. They were then loaded on vehicles and dumped on the side of a road.. They were eventually found at 3am by the farmer and moved to safety and shelter.

Homesteads
Homesteads were ransacked and striped of fixtures and fittings. One
homestead has not been touched and it is believed that Ruben Nklanga
wants this home.

Unauthorized Hunting/Safari Operators, operating in Matetsi Hunting area.
Botswana operator
Company:- Touch Africa.
France Hobart - tel: 71656340
Amongst other animals shot on various hunts, he killed the tame buffalo that was hand reared on Musuma Ranch.

South African operator
Company:- De Marillac Safaris - Theo DeMarillac
Vehicle registgration number:- FCJ797N
American agent:- Cabelas
Zimbabwean operator
Company:- Inyati Safaris
Enio di Palma - owner
Jacob Mudenda - consultant/associate
Quota irregularities
France Hobart is hunting again on Masuma Ranch early August 03.
He is coming to shoot one of the young giraffe that was bought from Clem
Coetsee 4 years ago. There are no wild giraffe in eastern matetsi. 6 giraffe
were purchased for photographic purposes only. This same PH, has shot the tame buffalo that were hand reared.

500grains,

A very sad story indeed!

I know the people who owned Lions Den.

Thank You, 500 Nitro! Most appreciated.

Certainly a sad situation and I admit I know none of the particulars but I do know Sean Steyn of Zim Africa Safaris and I would be hard pressed to believe he would do something unethical. I do know that Zim Africa was forced out of Matetsi 6 several years ago after they had purchased the rights to hunt on the concession and made a lot of improvements....they were made an offer they couldn't refuse as Sean was thrown in jail until his father signed over the concession.

Everyone seems to keep saying "Go to Zim and support the PHs so hunting can continue" but where are they going to take you to hunt if you book? The fact is the government has taken over these farms (as reprensible as that is) and the orginal owners will probably never go back...would you rather have the game poached or taken by sport hunters that bring some revenue to the beleagured hunting community. It's a tough choice but let me ask what you would do ..... and remember leaving the country with any assets probably isn't an option.

One last thought....I don't know Wayne Grant but I know several who do and I've never heard a bad word about him.

Before we pass any judgement or stain anyone's reputation I willing to see what, if anything, the Zim Professional Hunter's Association says or does in the future.

Out of Africa are the locals here in Kansas City. I hope reported involvement isn't true, though I have never used them. I hope we have substantiation of this post, one way or the other.

I also hunted with Wayne Grant...need to hear more about this. Stayed at Lions Den then too.

As much as some badmouth George W around here, he is now our only hope.

500N, Can you post the source url for this article? I would like to pass it on to an acquaintance. Thanks, Bill

/

That is quite a bit of very detailed info, who provided this information, what is your source?

I've already e-mailed Cabelas about this. I'll pass along any response I get from them.

Gentlemen,

May I suggest we bear in mind that some of the people mentioned above might not have any knowledge of what is actually going on on the farms?

Such as booking agents.

The situation in Zimbabwe has been very fluid for the past few months, and things might have changed without the knowledge of some of those mentioned.

I would like to know the source as well. There are a lot of pissed off people out there right now. (Most rightly so) Good or bad all information should be verified through independent sources before jumping to conclusions. Dont get me wrong IM not defending any of this. I just think it is extremely important to verify everything. IM sure there are many who are guilty as charged. I just wouldnt want to catch someone who was not really involved in the same net.

N'gagi - No worries @ Big Five, IMO.

This info looks pretty valid, unless you know what you are talking about, then you see holes.

I see holes in it. They are not big holes, but holes and misrepresentation.

It would not surprise me to see that the majority of this is true, but I do not like the way it is written.

Here is what I see and don't like.

"Early this month (July) all farmers in this area, [Gwayi] which borders Hwange National Park, were evicted."

Not true. Since then [early July] I have had two hunters return from the Gwayi and I have two there right now. In a week or so, Mike Dettore and Ann will be there as well. Do you think if they were evicted in July these two would still be planning on traveling here? I doubt it.

They are still hunting it, it is the original landowners. Nothing illegal about it. All paperwork and permits are in order.

They make it sound like hunting a Bushbuck in the Gwayi is a huge deal. They have slanted the Bushbuck story out of proportion.

I would still like to know where this information came from.

The trouble areas are localized, much the same as here in the USA, one would not want to wonder into So. Dallas, Watts, Little Cuba, etc. etc.

Much of Zimbabwe is safe and free of problems right now. Why is it that we insist on putting a rubber stamp on an entire country when trouble arises...this rubber stamp has been pounding Zimbabwe with doom for 5 years on this internet, yet thousands of happy hunters have returned each year with fun stories to tell. the sky has yet to fall...

Were that the case then RSA would be the most dangerous country in Africa, but I am very comfortable in Zimbabwe and RSA..

Anyway I'm headed for Tanzania, where they blew up the embassy a few years back, so hope I make it...

Africa is Africa, it doesn't seem to change from that standpoint. Africa is for the hunter who can put aside such trivial notions that danger lurks around the corner, and to pursue his hunting goals and let nothing be allowed to interfere with that endevor..

For those who seek the safe side, and are unwilling to deal with the winds of change, it is better to stay on this side of the pond and you will live to a ripe old age and have the benifit of some bitch nurse stuffing baby food down your throat....

And thats the way I see from this side of the room...As to this post beware of illegal activities, check them out...Don't get involved in the politics of foreign countries..Go do your hunt with a legitamate outfitter and come on home. Don't eat the hamburger, take you malaria pros and don't drink the water and you will probably make it home. If not we'll drink a sunddowner or a stiff shot of John Barlycorn to your demise. I would expect no less for myself.

This is some bad news, but something good came out of it, IMO! Earlier posts on this subject named Ronnie Sparrow, as an offender, now we find out it was Mark Sparrow, not Ronnie. I think unless both men are in violation, someone needs to post an appology to Ronnie Sparrow!

The original release of the info by 500Nitro. Was put togeather by one of my former coleages in the Zim parks department on behalf of the Justice for Agriculture and the PH association.

The facts are verifiable, although on checking it I notice a few mistakes in the spellings of names.

This report only covers a small part of the country. Similar is happening elsewhere.

Out of Africa are in with a General running one of the Governments new Cash cows- Charara safari area.

Sean Steyn is in with the late vice presidents daughter, Thandi Nkomo runing tuli, another of the new cash cows for our political elete.

PWN made the acurate observation that there are an awful lot of good operators who are seriously taking flack and are trying to make a plan to survive this week, this moth - maybe there will be change by next year... We are a hopeful people!

Mark Brightman, ex parks, put the report together for WWF and JAG. It is now public in Zim.

Any queries I suggest that they contact either Zim Pro Hunters and Guides Chairman, Adrian Swales at birddogs@zol.co.zw
or Don Heath at fishunt@mweb.co.zw

Also,as of yesterday morning there is a R100,000 reward for any South African PH operating on stolen land. That reward is ostensibly "dead or alive" - if alive he must spend a minimum of one month in jail for the bounty hunter/policeman to get paid.
I wonder if this extends to other nationalities?

Things are really hotting up, and there is also a
strong rumour that trophies which come from dubious concessions and areas might run into problems.

[ 08-19-2003, 11:01: Message edited by: 500nitro ]

500nitro

Thanks for posting the information and the source.

Ganyana, thank you for posting, I shall pass this info along. Although hard to swallow, this information needs to be made public so we can make informed decisions. What I am curious [concerned] about is how this might tie to the US gov't restrictions in regards to doing business with the "list" of named individuals.

Personally, unless I can swing a trip to Tanz, I'm still planning to hunt Zim in 04, but will be careful w/my selection of outfitter and area, keep funds in the US, and keep up to date on developments and changes.

Regards,

Bill

Excellent report. This is exactly what is needed to stop the illegal hunting and supporting "land grab poaching" in Zimbabwe. Most of those people listed are hyenas feeding on the weak. If a list of these illegal operators, Professional Hunters and thugs could be made available then it could be passed out at next years safari conventions. We need to continue to get the word out there. Most American will not support these illegal operations if they are informed who is illegal. Depart of State has posted the "notorious 70" list so what is needed is to publish who they and others like them are associated with in the safari business.

Excuse me if I smiled a little when I read about the R100,000 "bounty" on South Africa PHs operating in Zim. Does anyone really expect that someone will shoot one of these fellows or if caught and turned in to the authorities (who they are apparently working in cahoots with) that would ever serve any jail time.

Also, is the Zim PH Association going to kick out any PH they accuse of unethical activity because I would be more impressed if they did. Then they need to pubish a list of those expelled along with the reasons (list of charges) for all of us to see.....this would certainly make interesting reading in the SCI magazine. This would also put booking agents "on the spot" for representing those PHs.

-------------------------------------------------

Another observation ..... I've only been to Zim twice but I noticed there seem to be two types or classes of PHs operation....those who were in business when it was still Rodesia and those who came into the business after Mugabe came to power. It is my impression that these younger PHs have had a difficult time becoming estalished and are basically working from season to season and in some instances from client to client. They have been "conditioned" by the system (rightly or wrongly) to go along and get along or get out.

For the "hard-liners" in the safari posting here I have a question....what have you done to improve the situation? If, as many have said, the the safari industry is the source of much of the foreign-exchance in Zim why are you still running clients thru the system and providing funds to the corrupt govenment? Why not sit out a year or two to put some pressure on the government?

This whole thing smacks to me of the photos you see of Paris being liberated in WWII ---- the Americans are still cleaning out pockets of German resistance and the French have already gotten out the scissors and are cutting the hair of the women who "collaborated" with the enemy.

I wonder if your anger is missplaced and if there are any virgins in the Zim safari industry?

This is just the way I see it....admittely from a distance....and I've been wrong before.

According to my last count R100,000 would about buy a haircut and a good shot of whiskey!

Hmmnn Ray,

I hope your shooting is better than your accounting.
R100000 = US$13680
even at your prices one could get a pretty good safari for that money

REPLY FROM CABELA'S

Dear Mr. Stewart;

Thanks for the heads up in regards to De Marillac Safaris. We have not used this Safari company. In fact our staff of consultants have not heard of him or the outfit. The only connection I can possibly think of is that one of our SA operators has had him employed as a PH at one time. For the record, Cabela's has no affilliation with Theo De Marillac or De Marillac Safaris.

Below is an excerpt from a note I received from my PH when I inquired into the validity of the original post here. His ranch in on the Gwayi river.

"Yes what can I say, we held on to it for as long as we could, but when you are confronted with 100s of drunk and doped up blacks, who have nothing on there mind except death, destruction and thievery one doesn't stand much of a chance.
It is terrible what has happened and now the animals on the farm that we have nurtured and protected for 40 years are at the mercy of these killers.

The only thing we can do now is make a court case and lodge claims if only for the record. Further more we would like to get your Government to ban all trophy imports from Zimbabwe into the USA, as I can tell you 80% of all trophies and animals being hunted and shot now in Zimbabwe are illegally taken and off properties that do not belong to the rightful owners.
Maybe you know someone who can help us???"

He went on to quote many of the same items as noted above. I will be firing off a note to my senator and representative and the President asking for more than rhetoric regarding the unlawful activity in Zimbabwe. Would you do the same?

Who put up the bounty?

It is sad to see people like Jason are only interested in money NOW, Today. The fact that they are helping to fund one of the giggest acts of genocide since cambodia is of no concern to his type. Roll up mr American, pay me a little and pay Mugabe (personally) alot. Nice guy - probably voted for Clinton and Gore as well.

R100,000 is ten years pay at current rates for a police seargent. For the information of any potential bounty hunters out there, I recomend that you take the vermin to one of the following police stations, Charama, Mukambura, Singesi. I know them well, No telephone, no reliable radio comms, and for R5000 they will happily keep your charge. For R6000 they might even be nice and feed him occasionally.

Also killing boer pigs is government policy ;- ask our beleagured Afrikaans community. English whites are second class citizens, Afrikaaners are third. Perhaps point a few of the malitia their way (and oil them up with some booze) They will get credit for dealing with a boer and conservation will benifit... the posibilities are endless.

Ganyana

The land grab costs Mugabe nothing. Any money that Mugabe may get from the "dubious concessions" is only adding to his wealth. On the other hand the money that the safari outfits get while conducting safaris in the "dubious concessions" is keeping them afloat.

If we boycot these opperators and they leave then what do you think will happen to the wildlife once it has no protection and no legal value? If we want to keep our US dollars out of Mugabe's hands we will need to boycot ALL tourism in Zimbabwe. This will hurt many people both black and white, and the wildlife, I think you know what will happen to it. Shit rolls down-hill, how much do you think Mugabe will be hurt by the boycot?

If you would be kind enough to contact me via email I have some more indepth questions I would like to ask you off the forum.

Jason

When I read this it tears my heart out. Why our country stands idlely by, is beyond me. Maybe if Mugabe had threatend GW senior, something would get done. I have written a dozen letters to congressmen and senators over this very issue, but all I get is nice replys with no answers. The same thing happend in Cambodia. 2 million killed and nothing. 6 million jews and we fight a world war. Is it numbers or is it ethnicity? Zimbabwe, I still have a hard time with that name, was once the jewel of africa and before long it will simply be a memory. But I guess that is all life is, A collection of memories!

[ 08-21-2003, 13:28: Message edited by: kudu56 ]

Jason,
unscrupulous hunters and operators operating in dubious concessions and areas should be boycotted.
Period. Saying that they should be allowed to continue to operate so they can "stay afloat" is highly questionable.
Previously commendable operators Like Russ who have become involved with the mugabe cronies and areas like Makuti should be told in no uncertain terms that this activity is not condoned.
Hunt with him in a area with no contentious issues by all means, but to do otherwise...........??
Would you buy something in the USA knowing full well it was stolen, and would you be satisfied that it would keep the thief "afloat"?

Let me repeat and expand my earlier question!

(1) What is ZATSO doing about this?

(2) Have you approached SCI and if not, why not? If you have, what are they doing?

(3) Have you approached the folks who do the CITES permits in regards to having permits denied for those who are claimed to be operating illegally?

(4) Have you approached booking agents that are selling these hunts to tell them they won't be able to represent "ethical" companies if they continue?

(5) What about the travel agents who book flights?

Running around making threats and offering "rewards" seems to be a poor way to approach your problem. Quit fighting each other and find constructive common ground to handle your real enemy othewise even if you win you will not enjoy the victory as you will still have lost the bigger battle.

DB Bill

Good comment.

What can ZATSO do? Publically nothing - they cannot even admit to the wrongs going on unless a member is commiting them. When US fish and wildlife, or the embassy ask for details - happy days.

This is somewhat confusing.<br /><br />I met Wayne Grant last year when we hunted the Gwayi--with Zengela Safaris.<br /><br />Wayne was one of the PHs in camp with some other clients. He is a bit egotisitcal but seems to know his business. Some of the other PHs said he is widely regarded as one of the best leopard men in Zimbabwe.<br /><br />When it is said someone is hunting under Dave Chatham's license (Zengela) does that mean they are illegally using the license, or that Chatham is allowing them to use it?

Last I heard Chatham had fled to Bulawayo for his safety so I would assume someone is illegally using his license. Chatham's farm is right next to where I hunted so I'd guess it is similarly "occupied."

Rick3foxes may have more specifics on Chatham.

I am missing Wilfried Balenis name on the list. Does somebody has more information about him?

Nitro Express, have you seen Wayne Grants PH license, I was told that at least til 2000 he did not has one.

Pantanal

The latest that I have heard about the Chatham family is that they are still living in Bulawayo, and working through the courts to try to get their land back. Court date is in September.

I haven't heard anything about Dave's brother Jimmy, an elderly man whose farm we visited. He and his wife were arrested and evicted before Dave was.

Rick.