I know this is (not hunting per se) BUT it might be of some general interest to our overseas guests as to how the world of politics and management works in Real Life Africa ..

Quite interesting really

Cheers, Peter
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Zambia: Govt Fires 2 Workers for Poaching in State House Posted - 2006/4/5 Bivan Saluseki Lusaka

STATE House has dismissed two employees and redeployed two others for poaching within State House.

President Mwanawasa's principal private secretary, Alfred Chipoya, dismissed Titus Phiri and Shadreck Siansonzo and redeployed Chimile Kapui to the Ministry of Works and Supply while Sam Phiri has been sent back to Cabinet Office, for trapping and unlawfully killing a guinea fowl within State House grounds. State House chief analyst for press and public relations,

David Kombe, yesterday confirmed that the four were dismissed after being found in possession of game meat from the animals they killed at State House.

The four, who worked under the horticultural section, were also accused of snaring an antelope and State House had to call in Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) officers who sedated the animal and removed the wire from its neck.

In a letter of dismissal dated March 22, 2006 to Titus Phiri, Chipoya stated that management found Phiri's explanation unsatisfactory. "I refer to my letter to you dated 7th March, 2006, in which I afforded you an opportunity to defend yourself why disciplinary action including dismissal could not be taken against you for unlawful hunting in State House and also trapped and killed a guinea fowl without permission.

I wish to inform you that management has not been convinced with the reasons given and therefore it has been decided that you be dismissed from the government service with effect from the date of this letter," Chipoya's letter read in part. Chipoya asked Titus Phiri to surrender State House properties to his supervisor.

He also stated that Siansonzo had together with Titus Phiri, Chimile Kapui and Sam Phiri unlawfully hunted at State House and were subsequently detained at Woodlands.

But in a letter to Chipoya, Siansonzo denied having killed the guinea fowl.

"I remember there were some rumours that somebody was caught with a piece of guinea fowl at the side gate. Later on, it was found that it was Sam Phiri who was caught and he accepted the charge. I and other workmates were taken to Gumbo House by some police officers for questioning and I told them I knew nothing because I have never involved myself in such activities.

I am just a humble worker. My duties are to perform presidential duties within State House and sometimes outside State House," he stated.

Siansonzo stated that he was detained at Woodlands but he told the police that he was innocent.

And in an interview yesterday, Siansonzo said his dismissal was unfair because the poachers had been redeployed to other ministries. He said those that were punished never took part. He said the culprits were Kapui and Sam Phiri.

"These are the people who killed the guinea fowl," he said. Siansonzo said Sam Phiri killed the guinea fowl and cooked it while in State House.

"He said he (Sam Phiri) was hungry and had no food at home. That is why he killed the guinea fowl," Siansonzo said. He said one of the State House workers was caught with half of the bird at the gate and after being interrogated, he told them it was Sam Phiri who killed it.

He said Sam Phiri even led the police officers to where he had hidden the bird's feathers. Siansonzo said earlier, there had been reports that an antelope had been snared but it managed to escape. "After it was seen, they had to bring ZAWA officers to remove the wire from its neck," he said.

Siansonzo said, together with Mabvuto Phiri, they wanted their terminal benefits paid in full. Both said they had worked for eight years at State House.

And David Kombe confirmed that the four were arrested but later it was felt that the matter should be dealt with administratively. "That is when they were released and asked to exculpate themselves. After considering their explanation, it was felt that the explanations were unsatisfactory hence they were dismissed," Kombe said.

However, Kombe said those dismissed were not State House permanent employees.

"They were just casual workers," said Kombe. "State House, like any other institution, has rules and regulations which have to be complied with. And if these people feel aggrieved, they can appeal against their dismissal. But up to now, there is no appeal from any of the affected."

In the words of the well know English song:
"It's the same the whole world over
It's the poor wot gets the blame
It's the rich wot gets the pleasue
Ain't it all a f...ing shame"
Peter.

The job positions of the "perpetrators" can now be sold off to new blood,willing to pay the price under the table or alternatively given to cousins of a sister that otherwise dont know what to do with themslves.Either way, there is a small ransom to be collected.

I think they're all born with wire snares in their hands.