There has been some discussion on a concession in Northern Zimbabwe where a dodgy operator has been offering high priced hunts on "occupied" land with permission for the local squaters but not the land owners. Sadly there is plenty of it about. There are many good operators in Zim but a few sharks of note.

There has also been considerable concern by ethical hunters about hunting on government concessions which have been awarded to operators by any means but a transparant one and where the quota's are unsustainable and/or the money is going to finance the regime here rather than conservation.

Fot the sake of the record these concessions are.

Charara
Makuti
Tuli
Doma
Sengwa ( sengwa wildlife research area - which shouldn't be a hunting area at all but it has suddenly been turned into one, with a wipe out quota, and awarded to someone influencial in government, but nobody knows who!!!!! )

Matetsi Unit 6 was bought at a public auction by the wife of the Army comander, Joclyn Chiwenga. The same person who drove an elderly couple off there farm near Harare with the help of the army and promising that though she hadn't tasted white blood for years, it was time to start again.

Be informed.

Ganyana,

post some of the less than desirable's names please. If you feel this will compromise you send them to me in a PM and I will quite happily put them forward for public perusal.

500

Thanks for the information.

Does not bode well for the future (big surprise).

Isnn't Chiwenga the one who couldn't come to SCI awhile back because she couldn't get into the US?

If that's the case she has been sniffinng around Matetsi 6 since I hunted there several years ago. The folks who bought the concession (the ones I hunted with) were forced out after less than a full season (sell or jail) and SOB who took over hunting the concession held up my trophies for over 18 months....I was fortunate that the original staff had done such a great job with prep.

Ganyana, Thanks for all your help. Hope this prevents anyone from getting tangled up with the wrong thing. Just so you guys all know he and Alan Bunn went out of their way to give me info about an area in question. My thanks to Jim Dodd as well. It is by trading info that we help each other.

For DB Bills info, Matetsi untit 6 was originally a "joint venture" between mrs Chiwenga ( the army CO's wife) and mr Basil Stein. Relationship went very sour after allegations of mr Stain not forwarding the full share of the money to the general, so car crash and gentle persuasion caussed Mr Stein to sign over his share of the concession. The fact that he paid for it all, and only had Mrs Chiwenga in on the deal because parks insisted that he have a black partner was irellivant.

And yes, You Government will not give Mrs Chiwenga a visa to visit the states anymore - funny that.

At the same time there are a number of good operations arround Zim that shouldn't be tarred with the same brush. The Government concessions are. Matetsi Untits 1 and 5, (Check 3), Chewore, Chirisa, Dande, Chete, Rifa.

Unfortunately the list of lousy operators/PH's is too long and also probably lible. However, I don't think that a single one is a member of the operators Association, ZATSO or the PH association, ZPHGA.

Ganyana,

Are there good and bad communal areas? If, so a recommended list?

Ganyana didn't mention that part of the "gentle persuasion" was tossing Basil's son, Sean, who is a PH and someone I consider a friend, into jail. Basil and his family own (hope they still do) a very nice shop in Bulawayo that sold African curios and I expect many of you have been there to shop.

These bastards are nothing but thugs.

DB Bill/Ganyana (or anyone who might be know),

Just out of curiosity since you mentioned the Steyns, I've reserved a spot at their Sondelani concession (West Nicholson district SE of Bulawayo) for next May for a plains game hunt. Any funny business going on in that direction or have the Steyn, at least for now, managed to smooth the waters.

Jeff

Ganyana, you mentioned Makuti as a problem area. I am booked to hunt elephant with Russ Broom there in just a few weeks.

What gives with Makuti???

Brett

[ 08-09-2003, 00:53: Message edited by: Brett ]

As I recall the Sondelani Ranch is not a concession, I believe they own it...if that means anything anymore.

Sorry about leaving out the "not" kind of changes the meaning doesn't it.

[ 08-09-2003, 07:15: Message edited by: DB Bill ]

Ganyana, I also am considering Makuti with Russ Broom next august and Im interested on your thoughts for that area. Broom has always been good in the past. I believe Kieth Atcheson is hunting there this summer if im not mistaken.If black concession owners sublease to good operators mabe its not the best but will it work?

This post has information on some of the concessions mentioned by Ganyana.

http://www.nookhill.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008036

Regards,

Terry

I must say I have been getting quite an education to the workings of such arrangements. I have spent a lot of time gathering and verifying info that I would have rather spent elsewhere. The first thing to verify is if private who actually owns the land. If it is a concession who controls the rights to it? Is it someone who is under sanction by the US government? Was a deal made with "warvets" who may physically control the land but not have legal rights to it? The list continues but you get the idea. The last thing anyone wants is to have their trophies seized because everything wasnt on the up and up. On the other side does someone have an axe to grind? You must also verify the negative info. It takes a lot of work and contacts to sort these things out. Zim right now may be peacefull but it certainly isnt without risk. Good bad or indifferent you need to verify everything through multiple sources. If you get the same answers from several independant sources you can feel pretty safe.

I don't think the US government much cares (if they could find out and track such things) where you hunt in Zim...there are much larger problems in Zim than that. The only ones who will or could hold up your trophies is someone in the government who would be doing it for personal gain either for themselves or someone else.

Brett,

Makuti is mentioned in this text.
Also, Russ Broom is alledgedly going to stand as a ZanuPF candidate in some local elections.

From The Sunday Times (UK), 10 August

Zimbabwe wildlife crisis as elite grabs hunting rights

Jon Swain, Harare

As poachers slaughter more and more wildlife in Zimbabwe, the country�s minister of parks and tourism has almost bankrupted the body responsible for protecting endangered species of game by giving away valuable hunting concessions to family and friends in the ruling elite. Francis Nhema�s action is believed to have netted the individuals as much as �1m. But the parks and wildlife management authority, which he oversees, cannot meet the August wage bill for its 2,400 staff because it was not paid properly for the concessions. Last week banks were refusing to lend it any more money until it came up with a plan for repaying the loans. "But how can it while the minister is giving away the assets?" said an inside source. The knock-on effect of Nhema�s intervention has been disastrous. Zimbabwe boasts more national parks than almost any other country; they cover 14% of the countryside and were once superbly run. However, the impoverishment of the national parks has meant that scouts, the first line of defence against poachers, have been forced to cut back on patrols after running out of fuel for their vehicles and ammunition for their rifles. Rations are said to be in such short supply that some scouts have been ordered to shoot game for the pot whenever they go into the field.

Nhema had a reputation for good management until he began giving away the hunting concessions without going through a tendering process. One of the early beneficiaries of his largesse has been his sister-in-law Tendi Nkomo, the daughter of Joshua Nkomo, the late vice-president. She was awarded the Tuli concession for a token US$750. Another beneficiary is Emmanuel Fundira, the minister�s nephew. He was awarded the concession for Makuti, one of the most prized hunting areas where elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard are the main bag. The Charara concession, estimated to be worth more than �500,000 from hunting fees this season, was parcelled out to a consortium headed by Brigadier Paradzayi Zimondi and General Amoth Chingombe, two powerful army figures. The process started last year. This year it was expanded with Nhema�s creation of two new safari hunting areas to give away to cronies. One of them, at Sengwa, was created out of an area that had not previously been hunted but was designated as a wildlife research centre. Nhema has also dramatically increased the quotas of animals that are allowed to be shot to what conservationists say are unsustainable levels.

The annual hunting quota for Sengwa, which covers an area of 364 square kilometres, is now 12 elephant, five lion, 25 buffalo and 12 leopard. The sustainable level is put at two elephant, one lion, five buffalo and two leopard. Nhema confirmed that he had directed the allocation of hunting concessions to individual operators, but indicated that it had been on the advice of the parks authority. "If anything has gone wrong in the selection process of beneficiaries, the blame should be placed on the authority, which could have failed to discharge its duties efficiently," he told the state-owned Herald newspaper. Analysts said the changes have turned big game hunting into a new cash cow for the elite, who have already profited hugely from the seizure of thousands of white-owned commercial farms. However, they added that a rapid decline in the wild animal population from poaching meant the money was in danger of drying up soon. As much as half the country�s game has been slaughtered in the three years since war veterans began land invasions.

The land seizures have turned Zimbabwe from a peaceful and prosperous country into one of turmoil, lawlessness, hunger and poverty. It is estimated that it has lost as many as 3,000 cheetah, which are endangered worldwide, to gangs of illegal settlers who hunt them down with spears and dogs on confiscated white farmland. There are thought to be only 18 Liechtenstein hartebeest, a rare antelope, and the numbers of tsessebi antelope have fallen from 12,000 to 3,000. Several rare black rhino have also been killed for their horns, worth �30,000. Although elephants are not endangered in Zimbabwe, massive poaching of the 80,000- strong population has decimated some herds. A World Wide Fund for Nature survey counted 3,800 elephant carcasses in the Zambezi valley alone in the past four years. One person who has seen the damage at first hand is Sharon Pincott, an Australian conservationist. She works with the 400-plus herd of "presidential elephants" of Hwangwe. Despite their special status these elephants, too, have been poached. "What gruesome sight might I encounter today?" Pincott asks every time she goes into the bush to observe the elephants. "Will it be a severed trunk not long enough to reach the mouth with water?" she writes in Zimbabwe Wildlife magazine. "While I hope for the best I�ve learnt to be prepared for the worst."

I read the Times article, with a heavy heart.
Very soon , all hunting concessions in Zimbabwe will go the same way, that is inevitable.
Maybe people like Russ Broom , staying in the industry may help bring some sanity to the hopeless situation.
I for one, am grateful I went there, did it, brought back my trophies, and have memories I shall take to the grave with me. No one can take that away from me.

Ganyana,
I was just approached via email by a PH in Charrara and doing some hunts on communal lands and other areas as well..His name is Townsend, could this be one of those guys...He wants me to book him some Lion hunts...I passed, as its pretty late in the booking season and Shakari has a Lion/Leopard that I told him I'd try to move for him, so if any of you need a Leopard/Lion the contact me or Shakari direct...

I would like to know if this Townsend fellow is the culprit..Tried to email you but no can do. I would appreciate a reply on board on email...

A correction.

Matetsi Unit 3 is Pym Smythe and the lads who are a decent and reputable bunch. Matetsi Unit 1 has been the scene of some affermative takeover. If you are hunting on Matetsi unit one it should be with Matesi Wildlife/HHK safaris if it isn't...

brett, JBrown & Mamba,

Sadly, Russ Broom is involved in the dubious concessions, and anything offered in the Makuti /Charara area falls into the "affirmative hunting" category.
The funds will never go to the intended recipients, ie National parks. Instead, they will line the pockets of the unscrupulous operator and the people in the mugabe government who have brought the country to it's knees.
Another outfit which is alledgedly benefitting from the chaos is Out of Africa safaris

[ 08-15-2003, 13:41: Message edited by: 500nitro ]

In this Charara area do the locals get the meat? I may be about to book something there in 2011 for leopard, et. al. thru High Adventure Company. Does not this system previously mentioned operate about anywhere in Zim? I would deeply appreciate comments.

quote:

Originally posted by 500nitro:
brett, JBrown & Mamba,<br /><br />Sadly, Russ Broom is involved in the dubious concessions, and anything offered in the Makuti /Charara area falls into the "affirmative hunting" category.<br />The funds will never go to the intended recipients, ie National parks. Instead, they will line the pockets of the unscrupulous operator and the people in the mugabe government who have brought the country to it's knees.<br />Another outfit which is alledgedly benefitting from the chaos is Out of Africa safaris <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="images/icons/mad.gif" /><br /> <br /> <small>[ 08-15-2003, 13:41: Message edited by: 500nitro ]</small>

I heard that they(Out of Africa) shot a 105 punder up north on the western border of Hwange National Park and when i queried it i was told to piss off....


Anyway here is the photo of the elephant mentioned above posted on a local group on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.p...7&fbid=1125973119692

Kudu4u- Charara is a national parks safari area. The safari operator gets the meat to sell as he wishes.

While the US sanctions list is still in place I would check with the US embassy in Harare that you are clear to hunt there...Try Amy Diaz..+263 4 250 593 ex 4260 She has been very helpful and knowledgable on the inner workings of your governments do's and don'ts.

Ganyana,
Please explain which Doma you mean.
Is it Gordon Duncans 'The Doma Project'?

Cheers

Husky...No Gordon Duncan operates on Private land. National Parks leased Doma Safari Area to Newton Nympungidza (sp)- Who is not on any US list - or any body else's for that matter. Newton sublets this to Alex Kirkman.

Sengw Research is leased to Col Ben Matiwaza. Also not on any list. Currently operated by HHK.

Tuli Safari area is leased to Tandi Nkomo (Don't think she is on US list)

Makuti Safari area is leased to Emanuel Fundira-not on any list.

Charara - was leased to to a consortium of Army Generals...General P. Zimonde was on the original lease...this is now denied, but for US Citizens- ask at the embassy first

Looks like the Gov't is finding local prefered favorites that are not on the US banned list to give away the concessions. I am surprised at Russ Broom and for one would not now hunt with him.

465H&H

We've been considering Zim for 2011 or 2012. With all the goings on, it may be time to just go somewhere else. This is becoming very complicated and potentially risky. When you have to contact an embassy to determine if you're booking a legal hunt, maybe hunting somewhere else becomes a more favorable option.

quote:

Sengwa ( sengwa wildlife research area - which shouldn't be a hunting area at all but it has suddenly been turned into one, with a wipe out quota, and awarded to someone influencial in government, but nobody knows who!!!!! )

Ganyana / .458Aubs
is this the same area you are hunting? What are your thoughts on this?

Re Sengwa
NB original post is from 2003!!

Senwa research is gone. The line of research that had been conductedthere from 1967 till 2002 is broken. The big bull elephants that had been collared so we could track their migrations were all shot in the first year..by a low life who used the radio direction finding kit at the station to track them down...

Anyway- that is (unfortunately) History. Ben Matiwaza was one of the few UN officers in Rwanda during the genocide to emerge with honours- I suspect that sengwa was a thankyou- whatever, he has retired from the army and is not involved with politics that I know of. HHK run the operation. I don't think that anybody booking there now need have any regrets (or worries)

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:

quote:

Sengwa ( sengwa wildlife research area - which shouldn't be a hunting area at all but it has suddenly been turned into one, with a wipe out quota, and awarded to someone influencial in government, but nobody knows who!!!!! )

Ganyana / .458Aubs
is this the same area you are hunting? What are your thoughts on this?

505 No, Sengwa is up North, we are down South on the South African Border along the limpopo, our area is called SENGWE. regarding quota, man i am praying that council will honour our requests. we are pumping big money into the area to get it sorted out with anti-poaching, community devolpment, etc, etc. so we holding thumbs - but thanks

I'm fairly confident the Tuli block is not implicated in this mess. I hope it stays that way. Pray for Zim.

quote:

505 No, Sengwa is up North, we are down South on the South African Border along the limpopo, our area is called SENGWE. regarding quota, man i am praying that council will honour our requests. we are pumping big money into the area to get it sorted out with anti-poaching, community devolpment, etc, etc. so we holding thumbs - but thanks

Thanks for the clarification .458aubs, did anyone ever take you up on that elephant I missed?

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
A correction. <br /><br />Matetsi Unit 3 is Pym Smythe and the lads who are a decent and reputable bunch. Matetsi Unit 1 has been the scene of some affermative takeover. If you are hunting on Matetsi unit one it should be with Matesi Wildlife/HHK safaris if it isn't...

What about Matetsi Unit 4? This has been a justifiably popular concession for elephant and buffalo, and was Russ Brooms home for several years. I hunted there successfully in 2008 and am curious if it, too, is tainted.

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:

quote:

505 No, Sengwa is up North, we are down South on the South African Border along the limpopo, our area is called SENGWE. regarding quota, man i am praying that council will honour our requests. we are pumping big money into the area to get it sorted out with anti-poaching, community devolpment, etc, etc. so we holding thumbs - but thanks

Thanks for the clarification .458aubs, did anyone ever take you up on that elephant I missed?

No unfortunately not, there are a couple of guys who are still interested but tying up dates is becoming an issue. if you have the time come out, you wont regret it

Matetsi unhit 4 is leased to Mike Chidziva- and has been since the mid 1980's. Mike has always been a breif case buisnessman and always sub let the quota to various outfitters- some good some illegal. Out of Africa used it as their base for a while but Mike sized and refused to release a bunch of their trophies over some disagreement (2006 season I think).

quote:

Originally posted by 465H&H:
Looks like the Gov't is finding local prefered favorites that are not on the US banned list to give away the concessions. I am surprised at Russ Broom and for one would not now hunt with him.

465H&H

Buzz Charalton's outfit hunted Makuti. Are you going to black list him also?

If you ever dealt with Russ Broom you would be happy to deal with him again. He is one of the most pleasant, straightforward men I have had the pleasure to deal with.

With so many shady characters in this business it is nice to know that guys like Russ are around.