Just a few headlines from October 6th Allafrica website


Divisions Rock Zanu PF in Senate

As the jostling for the right to represent ZANU PF in the senatorial elections intensifies, cracks are widening within the ruling party amid revelations that the politburo wants to give the old guard the exclusive right to represent the ruling party in the polls.



Country Headed for Ruin - IMF

ZIMBABWE faces economic ruin due to increased government spending, bad governance and the effects of Operation Murambatsvina, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said in a grim assessment of the state of the economy.



Apocalypse for Country's Energy Sector

AT a time when most regional countries are moving into high gear and securing their power requirements ahead of the 2007 regional deficit, two firms which carry Zimbabwe's hopes of energy self-sufficiency- ZESA Holdings and Hwange Colliery Company Limited - are still groping in the dark.


Increased Unrest Among Country's Military

THE Zimbabwean army and air force have been hit by protests over the government's failure to increase their salaries as well as chronic food shortages at their barracks.



'Murambatsvina CIO Brainchild'

BAFFOUR Ankomah, the Ghanaian editor of United Kingdom-based New African magazine, has made startling revelations that Zimbabwean security agencies triggered the widely condemned Operation Murambatsvina/Restore Order as a pre-emptive move against a groundswell of public anger targeted at government.


MP Arrested for Walking

THE Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) legislator of Budiriro, Gilbert Shoko and 16 opposition supporters were yesterday arrested in Harare while walking to work in protest against persistent fuel shortages.


Air Zim Flouts Safety Procedure

CASH strapped Air Zimbabwe has bypassed security checks by operating a damaged Boeing 737 repaired using parts salvaged from a similar plane without consulting Boeing engineers as is routine.

Regards,

Terry

Zimbabwe is imploding rapidly. I wonder how long the present government can continue.

-Bob F.

Alot, I am sorry to say. And they are doing their best to prove me right. When (if) the Army revolts and gose on a rampage none will be safe.
Gene

Just a friendly sugestion but any of you guys going over to hunt in Zim anytime soon make sure that you do not send funds over to Zim for deposite or payment.

The agency that I work with puts all money in an U.S. escrow account until the hunt has concluded.

It would a be a great idea to set up a simular arraingement if at all possible!

Greg

A number of incidents have occured in hunting camps for the first time in recent months...

Zim is down the tube for awhile IMO, and Namibia is beginning...

I predict it will only get worse and pray that I am wrong.

I have to think we will not see an end to hunting in Africa anytime soon. I think we will see countries close and other countries open. If hunting closes in Zim, RSA, and Namibia, the days of relatively low priced hunts may be over, but money does drive the world, and the need for foreign currency will bring others into the market place. Who knows, Mozambique, Uganda, Angola, and Kenya may be the new destinations of choice? Stranger things have happened.

Right on, Ray, right on.

Guys
Wish me luck, I leave for Bulawayo on the 19th for 10 days.
Doug

quote:

A number of incidents have occured in hunting camps for the first time in recent months

Really, I haven't heard of anything about this. Can you give us some details?

Regards,

Terry

What do you think will happen with Zim in a year from now??

quote:

Originally posted by Wolfgar:
What do you think will happen with Zim in a year from now??

Less plains game ranches, consolidation of big game concessions under the control of a few outfitters, reorganization/realignments of some of the big name operators, fewer PHs and increased prices.

Regards,

Terry

I just asked my PH and some other acquaintances we have in Bulawayo and nothing's much sicne I was there in June as far as the Safari industry's concerned. They did however concur with Terry's statement regarding consolidation and higher prices. HHK's leading this charge and the goal is to turn the safari industry there into another Botswana. Very good (it alrady is!) but very expensive. jorge

Magnumhunter, take cash not travelers checks except for your outfittter if they have said they will accept them. I just returned 2 weeks ago and was not sure I could pay my bills as I took so little cash. The camp in the Omay I stayed in was not up to par for a first class tented operation. Joe Wright is the cooncession holder and HHK is promoting it and I subed via Bishopstone- alot of places to push off the blame for the poor conditions. The Omay is over aloted for Buffalo license and the poaching is ramped. Yes I got my Bufffalo 1:45 PM the last day. Oh yea if you haven't been to Bulawayo recently don't let the quansit hut "Bulawayo International Airport" throw you it is a hoot and it wasn't too bad getting thru which is more than I can say about the Vic Falls airport.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
A number of incidents have occured in hunting camps for the first time in recent months...

Zim is down the tube for awhile IMO, and Namibia is beginning...

I predict it will only get worse and pray that I am wrong.

Ray - I leave for zim in less than 2-weeks... what are you hearing?

New guy: Like I said on my previous post, I JUST spoke with folks in Zim. If you are hunting with a good operator, the situation in Zim will be transparent to you. I used traveler's checks with no problems, in fact, my PH preferred them to cash. Having said that, I recommend you get in contact with hm NOW and ask him point blank what he prefers as the financial situation there IS precarious at best. I'm sure you'll have a good time. enjoy it. jorge

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
Having said that, I recommend you get in contact with hm NOW and ask him point blank what he prefers as the financial situation there IS precarious at best. I'm sure you'll have a good time. enjoy it. jorge

That's good advice.

In this isolated case, however, I've known this guy for over 10-years, so we add it all up at the end of the hunt and I wire him the funds after I return.

It's a good incentive for him to get me out alive!

NG: That's the best method yet! you are both covered that way as he can keep the funds beyond the reach of Mugabe's thugs. jorge

Just so people don't misunderstand, I didn't make this post to run down Zim. I love it there, some of the best hunting and the best PHs in Africa. I plan on returning to Zim in 2007. It just saddens me to see the country going to Hell and knowing all those black and white people who are struggling.

What amazes me is that the country is still operating. Limited food, fuel, water, damn near limited everything and the country is still on its feet.

Regards,

Terry

When staging from RSA to fly to Moz this past August I met a nice couple from Zim. They were returning from Capetown after having their Toyota fitted with a secure fuel bladder that would enable him to hold 284 litres total! He travels to Zambia on business and hauls a load back in 2x per month. In his garage he maintains a small personal fuel depot for family and friends. But all of this implosion has taken it's toll. He and his wife, in their 60's are thinking of pulling the plug after riding it out all this time. I asked him what he thought the future may hold and he STRONGLY indicated that anyone making predictions is blowing smoke. He went on to say that there are simply too many variables at this point in time.This gentleman has had his career in Agricuture and was adament in stating that even in an "average" year, the shambas can easily feed the country.But the fact that a tough guy like him was leaving speaks volumes....