ZAWA tells Namwala squatters to leave game management area
By Times Reporter

THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and three chiefs from Namwala have given squatters in the Namwala game management area (GMA) in Itezhi-tezhi seven days in which to leave the area.

ZAWA public relations officer, Wilfred Moonga said yesterday that the decision to ask the squatters to leave the GMA was arrived at during a meeting between ZAWA and chiefs Chilyabufu, Shimbizhi and Kaingu on September 22.

It was resolved that the illegal settlers should be told to voluntarily move out of the restricted area by October 5 this year.

Mr Moonga said the action followed calls made by the traditional rulers as well as several follow-up sensitation meetings between the district commissioner’s office and the area Member of Parliament for the settlers to move out of the area where they have been since the year 2000.

“The settlers have been indiscriminately cutting trees to create huge farm blocs, thereby destroying the habitat available to wildlife.

“The chiefs have observed that this has negatively affected their generation of revenue from the safari hunting industry, which was financing community projects and contributing towards the uplifting of the standards of living for the residents,” he said.

The eviction exercise would be carried out in conjunction with the traditional rulers, the community resource boards, district commissioner’s office and Zambia Police.

Mr Moonga said towards the end of last year, the squaters were temporarily allowed to stay in the area until after harvesting their crops.

They were given June this year as the deadline to completely relocate from the area.
Mr Moonga said the evicted squatters would be relocated to State land at the Masasabi settlement scheme.

“The Government has provided amenities such as boreholes and hydro-electricity and the illegal settlers could relocate there.

“Alternatively, the chiefs are willing to provide alternative land for those interested in occupying traditional land but the settlers should follow the appropriate administrative channels by applying for the land, failure to which they will be advised return to their areas of origin,” he said.

Meanwhile, 30 buffaloes have died in Kafue National Park after allegedly being poisoned by poachers.

Mr Moonga said yesterday that the buffaloes were discovered dead by wildlife police officers while carrying out patrols along Musa River, in the southern part of the park on Sunday.


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