Wild animals scare Masvingo villagers
http://www.dailynews.co.zw/

Sunday, 16 September 2012 13:26
MASVINGO - Masvingo wild animals straying from Save Valley Conservancy that
was recently taken over by Zanu PF big wigs and securocrats are threatening
the lives of thousands of villagers and their livestock in surrounding
areas.

The Daily News on Sunday has received reports from terrified villagers in
parts of Bikita, Gutu and Zaka which are close to the valley. Predators such
as lions, leopards and hyenas are wreaking havoc after straying from the
Conservancy that some say are poorly managed by the new owners.

Villagers say they are living in fear as the free-roaming predators have
since started devouring their livestock.

“We are under siege here from wild animals coming from the conservancies.
Most of us have lost our livestock to the dangerous animals. We are now
afraid they could end up attacking us,” said Taurai Mupazhiri from Bikita’s
Mkanganwi village.

Some of the Zanu PF bigwigs who grabbed part of the Conservancy include
Higher Education minister Stan Mudenge, Masvingo governor Titus Maluleke,
former Youth deputy minister Shuvai Mahofa, Health deputy minister Douglas
Mombeshora, Manicaland strongman and Zanu PF central committee member Enock
Porusingazi and Chiredzi North MP Ronald Ndava.

Some of the securocrats who have also taken over the rich wildlife sanctuary
are lieutenant colonel David Moyo, major general Gibson Mashingaidze,
retired colonel Claudius Makova, assistant commissioner Connell Dube, major
general Engelbert Rugeje, brigadier-general Livingstone Chineka and Masvingo
provincial intelligence officer identified only as Chibaya. A villager from
Gutu, Sekayi Nhundurwa, said residents are concerned about losing their
cattle and donkeys which they use as draught power during the agricultural
season.

They have since appealed to local authorities to deal with the menace. “We
hear that the conservancies are now under new ownership and management and
they are failing to keep the animals in their sanctuaries. They are now a
danger to our lives. Right now our livestock are being attacked and we will
be left with nothing yet the agricultural season is upon us.

The ultimate result would be continued food shortages for us and our
families,” she said.

Efforts to get a comment from Masvingo provincial governor Titus Maluleke
were fruitless as he was not reachable on his phone.

Last week, mainstream MDC MPs from Masvingo took Maluleke head-on during a
cross-party peace building meeting and accused him of leading the
conservancies grab.

“We are not amused by the way you and your counterparts in Zanu PF took the
conservancies in Save. The grabs are very dangerous to the economy of the
province and the nation at large, as you know that several communities in
Zaka, Bikita, Gutu and Chiredzi were benefiting from the operations of those
areas but now we are having serious problems of wildlife plunder by you, the
new owners,” said MDC Zaka West MP, Festus Dumbu.

The Save valley conservancy debacle has since drawn the attention of Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Vice President Joice Mujuru, while
international blocs such as the European Union have also expressed concern
over the issue. - Godfrey Mtimba

http://allafrica.com/stories/201209211308.html


Zimbabwe: Battle Rages Over Save Conservancy


By Herbert Moyo, 21 September 2012


WHILE some stakeholders have with cautious optimism welcomed President Robert Mugabe's resolve to deal with the latest demonstration of greed by senior Zanu PF officials and army commanders who have grabbed wildlife conservancies, uncertainty lingers over the fate of Save Valley Conservancy.

Tourism minister Walter Mzembi must have felt a deep sense of vindication after Mugabe reportedly tore into army commanders and senior Zanu PF officials at a recent politburo meeting for grabbing lucrative safari landholdings in the Save Valley Conservancy, the largest private wildlife sanctuary in the world, for self-aggrandisement.

Mugabe ordered all army commanders and senior party officials who invaded conservancies to move out immediately, while demanding that all conservancies must now be turned into national parks.

Consequently, there would be massive evictions of army commanders, ministers, senior civil servants and top Zanu PF officials from safari areas across the country which they had expropriated and are making a killing through hunting activities and even slaughtering animals to sell meat.

Mugabe reportedly described the bigwigs as "greedy", and his choice of words was in sync with Mzembi who was criticised by his Zanu PF colleagues for daring to say the latest land seizures were counterproductive and would dent the country's image ahead of next year's United Nations World Tourism Organisation Conference.

Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo confirmed the politburo had set up a committee including Environment minister Francis Nhema, Mzembi, Lands minister Herbert Murerwa and Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo to look into the feasibility of turning the conservancies into national parks, and also propose models that ensure communities also benefit.

While players in the country's tourism industry -- showing signs of recovery following Zimbabwe's prolonged socio-economic meltdown accompanied by near-pariah status -- have applauded Mugabe for putting his foot firmly down on the wildlife land grab, they are wary the decision to transform the conservancies into national parks, which like other parastatals have been performing dismally, a move they fear would be ruinous to the conservancies.

Given that infrastructure in national parks is run-down and rampant poaching is the order of the day, it is difficult to appreciate how turning conservancies, which have been well run by a combination of foreign investors and locals, into national parks would assist costly conservation efforts, continue to attract much-needed tourists and benefit local communities.

Sources in the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) board told the Zimbabwe Independent this week the department of national parks and wildlife recently admitted in a board meeting they have failed to run national parks. The Ministry of Tourism and the ZTA are now advocating a broad-based approach, which would ensure continued investment into the conservancies in partnership with local communities.

Mzembi, who has been fighting for the reversal of Nhema's controversial "wildlife reform" policy, was thrilled by the president's decision to withdraw the leases from "greedy" individuals, saying it demonstrated commitment by the government and Zanu PF to empower local communities, preserve wildlife and promote tourism.

"Without being briefed on the policy outcome including the terms of reference, if what is being reported that there has been a policy shift from empowering individuals to a broad-based approach is true, then this is exactly what we have been fighting for," Mzembi told the Independent this week.

ZTA boss Karikoga Kaseke said his organisation supports broad-based initiatives and expressed eagerness to appear before the committee to make recommendations on the suitability of transforming conservancies into national parks.

However, MDC-T Masvingo provincial secretary Tongai Matutu blasted Zanu PF, pointing out it should have been cabinet, not the politburo to decide on the conservancy battle. He described the decision to convert all conservancies into national parks as "tantamount to nationalisation which is not part of government policy".

"It will only accelerate looting, poaching and other forms of asset stripping," he warned, "as national parks are a parastatal headed by political appointees who have no culture of transparency in their operations but sing for their supper," he said.

For Matutu, the best way forward would be to adopt a model which facilitates the empowerment of local communities, like the share-ownership trusts, in partnership with foreign entrepreneurs. Chiredzi chiefs Tshovani and Gudo have concurred, accusing Nhema and Masvingo governor Titus Maluleke of going against the concept of broad-based empowerment by prioritising a few individuals and falsely claiming chiefs had endorsed the appropriation of conservancies.

Vice-chairman of the Save Valley Conservancy Wilfried Pabst also agreed with the chiefs.

Pabst said they had already fully complied with indigenisation because two-thirds of all properties in the conservancy have indigenous partners and they had the full support of another parastatal, Arda.

"The chairman of Arda, who has a property within Save, is also the chairman of Save and I am the vice-chair," he said.

"The wildlife-based land reform policy Maluleke refers to and which has been waved in our face for years does not exist. However, Save Conservancy general manager David Goosen said there should be a balance of interests in handling the issue. "This is obviously something big and it has to be debated because there are a lot of factors to consider including balancing the government's desire for indigenisation against the need to attract and retain foreign investors, as well as ensuring local communities benefit from the proceeds of conservancies in their areas, in addition to ensuring sustainable conservation of wildlife resources."

Goosen said the country should be looking at crafting policies to turn more of Zimbabwe's arid areas in natural farming regions four and five into conservancies, noting this would not only promote tourism and conserve wildlife, but also ensure employment for thousands of jobless locals.

So while some will breathe a sigh of relief at the eviction of "greedy" Zanu PF heavyweights whose presence in conservancies was threatening to decimate flora and fauna and cause environmental degradation, there is still uncertainty on what will happen to world-renowned Save Valley Conservancy.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201209211300.html


Zimbabwe: Mugabe Blasts Army Generals


By Faith Zaba, 16 September 2012


PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe on Wednesday fiercely attacked army commanders, including major-generals, and senior Zanu PF officials for grabbing money-spinning safari landholdings in the treasured Save Valley Conservancy, the largest private wildlife sanctuary in the world.

High-level sources told the Zimbabwe Independent yesterday Mugabe arrived at the Zanu PF politburo meeting on Wednesday in a "no-nonsense mood" and accused army commanders and top officials of being "greedy" for grabbing conservancies when they already owned farms seized from white commercial farmers evicted during the chaotic and violent land reform programme.

Politburo members said Mugabe quickly set the tone of the meeting, declaring all army commanders and senior party officials who invaded conservancies should move out immediately. He also ordered that to stop the divisive rush for safaris, all conservancies must now be turned into national parks.

This means there would be massive evictions of army commanders, ministers, senior civil servants and top Zanu PF officials from safari areas across the country which they had expropriated and were making a killing through hunting activities and even slaughtering animals to sell meat.

But their presence in conservancies was threatening to decimate flora and fauna, mainly wildlife targeted for minting money for private benefit. There is also a threat of environmental degradation.

Angered by predatory raids and rampages by the military and money-oriented politicians at Save Valley Conservancy, Mugabe reportedly said safari areas would now be controlled by the national parks, which in turn will be owned by local communities and government through the department of National Parks and Wildlife, that will run them.

Sources said Mugabe opened the meeting by emphasising the invasions by a few "greedy" senior army and officials could be damaging and costly to Zanu PF as it prepares for crucial elections next year.

Although the land reform programme and indigenisation might have helped Mugabe and his party to hang onto power, they have also significantly damaged their reputation as they were reduced to looting sprees and plunder.

Referring to the land redistribution which was characterised by racial undercurrents and greed, the late Zanu PF maverick Edison Zvobgo said his party had reduced a "glorious revolution" into an "agrarian racist enterprise".

"President Mugabe opened the politburo meeting with the Save Valley Conservancy issue. After dealing with the issue, he lambasted senior party and army generals recently given concessions in the conservancy, saying these people were driven by pure greed and nothing else. He said they are just interested in killing wildlife and selling the meat," a senior politburo member said.

"Mugabe asked why they were grabbing more land when they were given farms during the land reform programme. He accused them of wanting to take more and more without considering the communities in the valley."

Another official said: "The Save issue was dividing and destroying the party ahead of elections. This, the president said, gives an impression that Zanu PF is full of greedy people who just want to grab everything."

Cabinet ministers have fighting over the issue. Tourism minister Walter Mzembi and his Environment counterpart Francis Nhema are engaged in an ugly public spat over the matter. The Zanu PF Masvingo provincial executive has labelled Mzembi a "sell-out".

Mzembi, pushing for the reversal of the take-overs, has been arguing the parcelling out of conservancies was threatening the successful hosting of next year's United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in Victoria Falls.

Some of the Zanu PF and military elites who have benefitted from the seizures include lieutenant-colonel David Moyo, major-general Gibson Mashingaidze, retired-colonel Claudius Makova, assistant commissioner Connel Dube, Masvingo provincial intelligence officer Chibaya, major-general Engelbert Rugeje, Brigadier-General Livingstone Chineka, Higher Education Minister Stan Mudenge, politburo member Nelson Mawema, Health deputy minister Douglas Mombeshora, Masvingo Governor Titus Maluleke, Zanu PF central committee member Enock Porusingazi, Shuvai Mahofa, and MPs Ailess Baloyi, Abraham Sithole, Samson Mukanduri, Noel Mandebvu and Ronald Ndava.

Others include former Tourism secretary Sylvester Maunganidze, Masvingo provincial administrator Felix Chikovo, late Vice-President Simon Muzenda's son Tongai, Elliot Takawira believed to be related to national hero Leopold Takawira, and war veterans' leader Joseph Chinotimba.

Chiredzi South MP Baloyi claimed he had been elected new Save Valley Conservancy chairperson, replacing former Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Basil Nyabadza, who however argues he remains chair until the politburo ruled on the matter.

Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo said yesterday the politburo has set up a committee which includes Tourism and Natural Resources minister Francis Nhema, Mzembi, Lands minister Herbert Murerwa and Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo to look into the feasibility of turning the conservancies into national parks and also to propose models that ensure communities also benefit.

"Conservancies have created a lot of problems. There may be need to do away with conservancies and create national parks," Gumbo said. "We want to find a way forward that ends the wrangle that is taking place and also bring harmony in the community. Everyone was supportive of the proposal to turn the conservancies into national parks."

Other senior party officials set to lose their conservancies are Mines minister Obert Mpofu, Bulawayo governor Cain Mathema, Matabeleland North governor Thokozile Mathuthu and Vice-President John Nkomo.

While speakers took turns to slate beneficiaries of the conservancy confiscations, politburo sources said former Masvingo governor Josiah Hungwe, one of the beneficiaries, said it was a "win-win" situation because the whites were also set to lose their land.

The politburo decision came after chiefs in Chiredzi issued a statement recently accusing the party leadership of grabbing all opportunities presented by the party's indigenisation programme.

"The same people now being allocated our conservancies are multiple beneficiaries of sugarcane plots, as well as ranches and farms. The option that the governor and his clique have adopted, under which they partner sitting tenants, has caused a lot of destruction to wildlife. For example, Mrs Shuvai Mahofa and company are harvesting game meat for sale without hunting permits," the chiefs said.

"Three months ago Souter Zvinavashe, a protégée of the governor was arrested, but released without charge after he was caught with tonnes of game meat he was selling to the public in Mukwasine, Gutu, Bikita and Mutare."

The Save Valley Conservancy was founded in 1991 and has drawn support from the World Wildlife Fund and investors from Europe and the United States who are protected under bilateral investment protection agreements.

Another top diplomat condemns invasion of conservancies
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk

Netherlands’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Barbara Joziasse, has expressed her
government’s concern over the invasion of conservancies in the Save Valley
by a group of officials aligned to Zanu (PF).
21.09.12
10:24am

by Zwanai Sithole
Harare

The top diplomat said the invasions were a direct violation of investment
protection agreements between Zimbabwe and other countries, hers included,
and described them as illegal and detrimental to the local economy. She was
addressing journalists in Bulawayo on Thursday.

“We are concerned about the invasion of the Save conservancies. Apart from
violating investments protection agreements, the invasions are also
affecting ordinary Zimbabweans who are going to lose jobs as a result of the
land invasions.

“Zimbabwe should respect these treaties if the country wants serious
investors to invest in the country,” said Joziasse. She said her government
was engaging the Harare government over the issue.

A number of conservancies in the Save area, among them those owned by German
and Dutch nationals, are under threat from Zanu (PF) bigwigs who have been
parceling them amongst themselves under the guise of indigenisation.

The new beneficiaries have been awarded 25-year leases, but conservationists
have condemned the takeovers. The invasions are already causing diplomatic
tensions.

EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Aldo Dell Ariccia, recently said restrictive
measures that were earlier this relaxed could be tightened.

Mugabe is playing to the western press.

"To be controlled by the National Parks?" What do the rightful owners retain, or do they lose everything anyway to a racist government. Another consideration would be that once the "Tourist Indaba" is over, carry on back to where everything is today. Mugabe has more than once proven to be a liar.

Like I said before this Mzembi has good sense it seems like.

Looks like the tide is turning in his favor.

so a legitimate question to those here who have posted that they are scheduled to hunt in the Save this year - who are you hunting with and where are you hunting?? it certainly seems that there are VERY FEW IF ANY areas in the Save where a US citizen can legally hunt within the confines of the Lacey Act /US banned individuals act. it's a fact that several forum members have posted that they have hunts booked in the near future and have been assured that all is well. IS THAT REALLY THE CASE???

Sango & ARDA are still being operated by the prior operators. ARDA has been owned by the government for years. Sango is owned by a German national. It is protected under some agreement entered into years ago.

I leave Saturday to hunt Sango. There should be no problems in these areas. I can't say about the others.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
Sango & ARDA are still being operated by the prior operators. ARDA has been owned by the government for years. Sango is owned by a German national. It is protected under some agreement entered into years ago.

I leave Saturday to hunt Sango. There should be no problems in these areas. I can't say about the others.

Good luck Larry...look forward to your update on Save.

Thanks.

I am going for 2 buff and an elephant plus miscellaneous plains game. I can't wait.

Good Luck Larry!
Looking forward to hearing about it upon your return.

Good luck Larry
A first hand report on conditions in the SAVE will be nice.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201209240416.html


Zimbabwe: Officials Defy Order to Stop Hunting in Save


24 September 2012

Some senior Zanu-PF and Government officials who received hunting licences and quotas for the Save Valley Conservancy have continued with the activities in defiance of the Politburo's decision to stop them.

Observers believe the officials are taking advantage of a vacuum created after the Politburo's resolution to form a committee to look at disturbances at the conservancy.

The Politburo wants the conservancy to be turned into a national park. It, however, appointed a committee of Ministers Ignatius Chombo (Local Government, Rural and Urban Development), Herbert Murerwa (Lands, Land Reforms and Resettlement), Francis Nhema (Environment and Natural Resources Management) and Walter Mzembi (Tourism and Hospitality Industry) to look into issues affecting operations at the conservancy.

The committee would also make recommendations to Politburo for onward transmission to Cabinet. Minister Nhema on Friday said he was not aware of the latest developments.

"I am yet to get a briefing of the latest developments since I was out of the country," he said.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the committee had not yet met.

"Everything is in the pipeline but the committee has not met. We still wait for their recommendations to the party leadership," he said.

Cde Gumbo said while the Politburo could have made the resolutions, it expected some resistance from the people allocated the hunting permits and quotas.

"We have taken a decision on the conservancy but the committee is responsible for what should be done at the end of the day. We expect that there would be resistance but we have to find a solution to the problems," he said.

However, observers said hunting continues unabated at the conservancy as there was no Government position on the saga.

"Zanu-PF is an interested party that is trying to control members who are playing truant but since the licences were given through Government their decision would be a recommendation to Cabinet.

"That has, however, created a vacuum from the appointment of the committee, its sitting and agreement, recommendations to Cabinet and finally the latter's final determination," the observer said.

Meanwhile, the observer said, hunting would continue.

"There are unconfirmed reports that one beneficiary promised to slaughter two buffaloes for some commemorations while a buffalo was auctioned for R2,6 million in South Africa.

"It shows the lack of appreciation on conservancies has affected the operations at the conservancy."

The confusion, the observer noted, had exposed the sanctuary to poachers.

Police acting national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba acknowledged reports of poaching in the conservancy.

"We have received reports of poaching at the conservancy and we have since deployed the Support Unit to complement efforts by rangers from the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority," she said.

Asst Comm Charamba could not confirm reports of gunfire between the police and suspected rhino poachers in the past three weeks.

Meanwhile, farmers continue battling with their new partners over hunting quotas. The new partners have continued inviting farmers despite the raging dispute.

According to correspondence between a farmer and a partner (names withheld), the latter advised that he was bringing hunters.

"Please be advised that hunts are starting this Sunday till early December. The hunters may not be staying at the camp because you have not responded to our proposal.

"May I also advise that if you disrupt these hunts, new operators may not appreciate your partnership," the partner says in an email to a farmer.

The farmer cites the Politburo resolution for stopping the hunting.

"I am sure you will understand that under these circumstances we cannot (sic) see it fit to allow any outsiders to hunt . . .

"If you have questions, I am advised that our chairman, Mr Basil Nyabadza, is at your disposal."

A defiant partner, however, advises that the hunters would carry on with their activities.

There is WiFi at Sango. I will make posts on what I see and find out as I have time. My charter will be landing on the Sango strip on Monday.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
There is WiFi at Sango. I will make posts on what I see and find out as I have time. My charter will be landing on the Sango strip on Monday.

Good luck, Larry, looking forward to the updates!

Say "Hi" to Nevin and Lindsay for me.

Enjoy your hunt!

Chris

since hunting is apparently continuing unabated on invaded land, you have to wonder who are the hunters, who is conducting the hunts, and who is selling them? i truly hope the miscreants are Americans and that they run afoul of the Lacey Act/ dealing with US State Dept banned individual list. no excuse for not doing due diligence research in a situation like this.

One has to wonder. We do know that Arnold Payne was selling some of these hunts.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
since hunting is apparently continuing unabated on invaded land, you have to wonder who are the hunters, who is conducting the hunts, and who is selling them? i truly hope the miscreants are Americans and that they run afoul of the Lacey Act/ dealing with US State Dept banned individual list. no excuse for not doing due diligence research in a situation like this.

+1

It always surprises me how many hunters, especially American hunters seem to fail to do due diligence. All one has to do is look on the forums to find examples of where guys are talking about hunts that have pretty obviously breached the Lacey Act & they seem totally unaware of it.

Until I got on this forum, I did not know there was such a thing as the Lacy Act.
There are a lot of things that people do that is NEW to them & they just don't know the ins & outs of them. It's called LEARNING.
Unfortunately some of the learning comes at a great expense.

Cecil

I understand what you mean but for example, there are currently at least three or four threads on various forums right now where I'd bet the posters have (one way or another) breached the Lacey Act and if they're members of the various forums, they should know what the L/A is and what implications might be involved.

Even if people aren't aware of the situation, the internet is after all, an excellent source of information that's freely available to all of us & ignorance, esp in the eyes of those bastards in USF&WS is no excuse.

Please don't think I'm having a pop at anyone. It's just that I'm surprised so many people (usually unknowingly) talk about what are, in effect, illegal actions that could easily land them in the doo-doos.

Can anyone tell us the last time a US citizen was prosecuted for hunting on a ZIM concession owned by the "wrong" folks?

I suspect a couple of US citizen Lacey Act prosecutions relating only "improper" concessions in Zim will have the unfortunate effect of stopping US hunting in ZIM altogether absent a clear message from the feds specifically stating with whom it's ok to hunt. Guys, the ZIMs can't even figure out who's own first, how can you expect all US citizens to be able to wade through the mess successfully?

http://allafrica.com/stories/201209281014.html


Financial Gazette (Harare)



Zimbabwe: Looters Defy Mugabe


By Clemence Manyukwe, 28 September 2012




SENSING the end could be nigh before sanity prevails at Save Valley Conservancy in Masvingo Province, ZANU-PF bigwigs have heightened poaching activities at the animal sanctuary in disregard of a directive by President Robert Mugabe to cease illegal activities there pending a decision on the saga by the party's supreme decision-making body in between congresses -- the Politburo.

The illegal hunting frenzy is threatening to wipe out game in the conservancy, hitherto of interest only to safari operators until controversy set in after it was allocated to ZANU-PF heavyweights from the politically restive province, some of who have no clue about hunting.

The primitive accumulation of wealth through rampant poaching ahead of a decision on the matter by ZANU-PF's Soviet-style Politburo has alarmed conservationists who fear that the animal population at Save Valley could decline rapidly if nothing is done to restore order.

Villagers around the conservancy were left shell-shocked recently after a senior ZANU-PF official pledged two buffalo bulls as relish to a constituency of a political friend in the province on the day reports from South Africa indicated that a buffalo had been auctioned for a whooping 26 million rands.

The incident alarmed the powers-that-be who now fear that uncontrolled hunting in the area could compound the country's foreign currency woes.

Hunting and safari has been a significant contributor to Zimbabwe's foreign currency earnings.

The issuance of hunting leases to ZANU-PF members at the game refuge has opened a new front for disharmony in President Mugabe's party, forcing the incumbent to direct Environment Minister Francis Nhema to revisit his decision, compelling existing ranchers to partner the so-called "Masvingo Group".

Resultantly, the party's politburo appointed a four-member panel consisting Nhema; Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Walter Mzembi; the party's secretary for lands, Ignatius Chombo as well as Land Reform and Resettlement Minister, Herbert Murerwa to recommend the course of action to take.

The committee, which is still to meet as some of its members are out of the country on business, was tasked to look into the possibility of turning the conservancy into a national park, among other available options, effectively reversing the issuance of the leases.

Those who were handed leases at Save Valley include war veterans leader, Joseph Chinotimba; Major General Gibson Mashin-gaidze; Major General Engelbert Rugeje; Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke; ZANU-PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Lovemore Matuke; Higher Education Minister Stan Mudenge; Health Deputy Minister Douglas Mombeshora; ZANU-PF central committee member Enock Porusingazi and Members of Parliament Ailess Baloyi, Abraham Sithole, Samson Mukanduri and Noel Mandebvu.

Former lawmaker, Shuvai Mahofa was also handed a conservancy in the area.

Ever since the allocation of the hunting quotas was announced last month, fierce resistance against the new order has emerged from the conservators, Mzembi, Chiredzi chiefs and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources.

On Tuesday, Chino-timba, confirmed there was poaching at Save, but blamed it on white ranchers, adding that even though he has not yet set his foot at the animal sanctuary since the Politburo meeting, it was worth noting that any decision by ZANU-PF was not the end in itself as whatever the party decides still needed to be endorsed by Cabinet to have any effect.

Chinotimba, who spearheaded the chaotic land seizures in 2000, said the new beneficiaries still have a right to continue hunting animals as they have legally binding leases issued by the Environment Minister.To my knowledge those whites are the ones who are poaching, despite the fact that they don't have quotas. If you want to know who is poaching ask Karikoga Kaseke (the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer), I took him there and he saw for himself," he said.

"The Politburo decision is not the end of the story. The government has its own resolution, which gave us quotas through the Ministry of Environment, which is headed by Nhema. We have the right to be hunting."

Chinotimba said his partners at Save have refused to meet him and so far he has only managed to hold meetings with the managers.

Mzembi also confirmed receiving reports about rampant poaching activities at Save Valley Conservancy.

In an earlier interview with The Financial Gazette, Mzembi said while it takes one gunshot to eliminate an animal for individual benefit, the same can pose danger for hundreds of photographic shots, whose income can sustain a community for a lengthy period.

He said the continued lawlessness at the animal haven has a deeper meaning politically, saying the Save saga was symbolic of the greatest test to ideological correctness and aptitude by those who should be discharging the values that ZANU-PF stood for at independence in 1980.

"That behaviour smacks of a psychology-driven by the 'last harvest' mentality before a drought. Political, in this sense: It is very dangerous for us who still want to serve the party for the next 30 years. That's what makes our fight and defence of old ZANU-PF values now more generational than ever. And on this even if I remain in the majority of one, it's the principles and values that I am prepared to defend. People first!" said Mzembi.

This week, Nhema said he could not comment on poaching reports because if they were any they should have been dealt with administratively by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

Parks spokesperson, Caroline Washaya, could not respond immediately to a request for statistics on poaching at the animal sanctuary.

Former ZANU-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson and leader of Save Valley Conservancy, Basil Nyabadza, who attempted to use his political clout to have the 25-year leases reversed, said he would be getting statistics on poaching activities in the area in due course.

"The people doing this are taking the law into their own hands. The brand Zimbabwe must not suffer because of the pursuit of selfish gains. Those that do not respect the will of our leadership must bear the consequences," said Nyabadza.

The forced imposition of partners on Save Valley, some of whom have no knowledge of the safari industry also exposes the dangers faced as a result of the white farmers' failure to share resources in their possession with disadvantaged groups, leaving the door open to opportunists.

Prior to the year 2000 when the land reforms started, most white farmers clung to their properties when the majority of people were landless only to suffer from a process they had no input or control over, resulting in disastrous consequences not only to them, but to the entire country.

Just got back from Zimbabwe. Me and my Dad were supposed to hunt Savuli but that never happened. We did go to Masapas for a few days. We had extensive discussions with our PH on the issue of the Save, hunting permits and everything else that covers this subject but it boils down to this:

They are hoping this gets sorted out in a year or two.
Hunt in Zimbabwe or don't hunt in Zimbabwe, your economic input means absolutely ZERO to the people in power.
This issue is about POWER and who is going to have it after Mugabe is gone.

Depressing, but I will continue to hunt in Zim as long as there is hunting there (and if I can afford it).

Minister Biti: Save Conservancy Invasion Irks IMF, ADB
http://www.voazimbabwe.com

Blessing Zulu, Gibbs Dube
28.09.2012

Finance Minister Tendai Biti has expressed serious concern over the chaos at
the Save Valley Conservancy saying it has the potential to scuttle Zimbabwe’s
chances of getting debt forgiveness from the Mnternational Monetary Fund
(IMF), and the African Development Bank and other interntional finance
institutions.

Senior Zanu PF officials, war vet veterans and army generals last month
invaded the money-spinning safari landholdings in the treasured conservancy,
the largest private wildlife sanctuary in the world.

President Robert Mugabe, cabinet and the Zanu PF politibuto have tried to
intervene but the invaders remain defiant.

Those who were handed leases at Save Valley Conservancy include war veterans
leader Joseph Chinotimba; Major General Gibson Mashingaidze; Major General
Engelbert Rugeje; Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke;
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairperson Lovemore Matuke and Higher Education
Minister Stan Mudenge.

In its annual review of the Zimbabwean ecoomy, the IMF said Zimbabwe’s debt
which stands at $10.7 billion remains a major impediment for the country’s
economic turn-around.

It said the large debt overhang remains a serious stumbling block to
medium-term fiscal and external sustainability.

“The external position remained precaurious, albeit with some recent
moderation in the current account deficit and despite higher exports, the
current account defiint widened to 36 percent of GDP in 2011 from 29 percent
of GDP in 2010 due to in part to a spike in imports associated with some
one-off factors,” said the IMF.

The IMF said it projects that the country’s economy will slow down to 5
percent this year after growing by 9.6 percent in 2010 and 9.4 in 2011.

According to the IMF the slow down reflects the impact of the adverse
weather conditions on agriculture, erratic electricity supply and tight
liquidity conditions.

“Mining production is expected to benefit from the lifting of restrictions
on diamond exports from the Marange fields as a result of certification by
the Kimberley process. Inflation slowed down to 4 percent in June 2012 from
4.9 percent in December 2011, reflecting in part some moderation in imported
goods inflation,” said the IMF.

The IMF met last Friday to discuss the debt situation amid indications three
countries - Sudan, Somalia and Zimbabwe - as at the end of June this year,
owed the international financial institution special drawing rights worth
over a total of $2 billion in overdue arrears.

Biti said Harare’s chances of debt forgiveness were high before what “the
madness started at the Save Conservancy.”

Environment Minister Francis Nhema said that Harare is trying to bring order
to the conservancy.

Economist Rejoice Ngwenya of Liberal Market Solutions noted that Zimbabwe is
always committing mistakes at the wrong time and as a result the invasion of
the conservancy will spell doom to the country’s attempts of reviving its
economy.



Minister: Save Conservancy Invaders Greedy Zimbabweans
http://www.voazimbabwe.com

Gibbs Dube
27.09.2012

A cabinet minister says top military commanders and senior Zanu PF officials
who recently invaded the wildlife-rich Save Valley Conservancy are greedy
and selfish people who are derailing the rebranding of Zimbabwe as one of
the best tourism destinations in Africa.

Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi said the 37 people who recently occupied the
conservancy have seriously dented the image of the country, still recovering
from a decade of economic decline.

Mzembi said the invaders, who include Major-General Gibson Mashingaidze,
Major-General Engelbert Rugeje, Masvingo Governor Titus Maluleke, Education
Minister Stan Mudenge and several others, are decimating protected wildlife
in the conservancy.

President Robert Mugabe has protested over the invasion of the
money-spinning conservancy which has attracted funding from the World
Wildlife Fund and investors from Europe and the United States.

Mzembi said he would fight tooth and nail to ensure that the invaders are
evicted. ‘If this is a fight that shall bring me into a minority against my
provincial colleagues, so be it,” said Mzembi.

Prominent commercial farmer Themba Dlodlo said invasion of the wildlife
conservancy is embarassing Zimbabwe set to host the World Tourism
Organization’s general assembly.

Other Zanu PF and military elites who seized the conservancy are
Lieutenant-Colonel David Moyo, Retired Colonel Claudius Makova, Assistant
Police Commissioner Connel Dube, Masvingo Provincial Intelligence Officer
Shaderick Chibaya, Brigadier-General Livingstone Chineka, Health Deputy
Minister Douglas Mombeshora and Zanu PF central committee members Shuvai
Mahofa and Enock Porusingazi and legislators Ailess Baloyi, Abraham Sithole,
Samson Mukanduri, Noel Mandebvu and Ronald Mandava.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathi:
Minister Biti: Save Conservancy Invasion Irks IMF, ADB
http://www.voazimbabwe.com

Blessing Zulu, Gibbs Dube
28.09.2012

Finance Minister Tendai Biti has expressed serious concern over the chaos at
the Save Valley Conservancy saying it has the potential to scuttle Zimbabwe’s
chances of getting debt forgiveness from the Mnternational Monetary Fund
(IMF), and the African Development Bank and other interntional finance
institutions.

How the fu*k can they even begin to consider 'debt forgiveness' with the history of murder, rape, genocide and other human rights abuses the country has?

Simply beggars belief!

And that's why Zuma and the ANC want more say in the IMF and World Bank, and why they are demanding more say in the UN. They claim that none of these instituions are democratic and must change to suit African Socialist ideals.

quote:

Originally posted by Scriptus:
They claim that none of these instituions are democratic and must change to suit African Socialist ideals.

Does that mean they want to redistribute land & wealth to ANC high rollers in the UN countries as well?

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

quote:

Originally posted by Scriptus:
They claim that none of these instituions are democratic and must change to suit African Socialist ideals.

Does that mean they want to redistribute land & wealth to ANC high rollers in the UN countries as well?

Nah! I think that at this stage, they want big loans, skim a bit, use some for voter purchase and a little bit for capital projects, with no intention of paying back!

So they'll be applying to join the EUSSR then?

quote:

Originally posted by pevtsovy:
Just got back from Zimbabwe. Me and my Dad were supposed to hunt Savuli but that never happened. We did go to Masapas for a few days. We had extensive discussions with our PH on the issue of the Save, hunting permits and everything else that covers this subject but it boils down to this:


They are hoping this gets sorted out in a year or two.
Hunt in Zimbabwe or don't hunt in Zimbabwe, your economic input means absolutely ZERO to the people in power.
This issue is about POWER and who is going to have it after Mugabe is gone.

Depressing, but I will continue to hunt in Zim as long as there is hunting there (and if I can afford it).

plus one to that brother. I will still hunt there, in fact looking at a small trip in late feb and then a buff hunt on sentinel in sept.

Were you guys hunting sentinel as well? Masapas is awesome, is the leopard still walking thru camp at nights?

I am in the Save at the moment. Today is day 1 of my safari.

What I have observed and/or been told is as follows:

1- Savuli has been hammered. It is a small area.

2- The other areas have largely been unaffected.

3- Most of the rightful operators are hurting as there have been relatively few hunts.

4- Strangely enough, ARDA, which is government owned has not had quota issued yet . While it is expected, it is awfully late to sell it.

5- Sango is largely unaffected. Still lots of animals. Lots of quota left. Damn, I am glad I brought my check book.

Larry

It is great to get a report from a forward observer !!!

Wishing you fair winds.

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I am in the Save at the moment. Today is day 1 of my safari.

What I have observed and/or been told is as follows:

1- Savuli has been hammered. It is a small area.

2- The other areas have largely been unaffected.

3- Most of the rightful operators are hurting as there have been relatively few hunts.

4- Strangely enough, ARDA, which is government owned has not had quota issued yet . While it is expected, it is awfully late to sell it.

5- Sango is largely unaffected. Still lots of animals. Lots of quota left. Damn, I am glad I brought my check book.

Thank you Larry...It sounds like things may get worked out after all, exeption Savuli. Good luck on your buffalo, elephant and whatever else you may want...sounds like you hit it right and made a good decision to go.

Good luck Larry.
Tell Nevin & Lindsey hello for me.
Cecil Leonard

I hope your hunt goes well. I hunted Sango in 09 with my boys and wife. Nev and Lindsey were wonderful. I did not realize they were still there. I really would like to see it again but I most likely never will. Good luck and keep us posted.

Crl

Good luck Larry- at the end of it you may wish that you had infact left your check book at home! Have fun! Cheers Buzz

Conservancies: who got what?
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk



The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Walter Mzembi, is one of
the biggest beneficiaries of the shady conservancy allotment exercise that
has attracted international condemnation.
03.10.12
03:19pm


by Thabani Dube


The Zimbabwean is in possession of a leaked updated document showing the
allocation of wildlife properties as at 15 June 2011. It lists Mzembi as
sharing the 16,975ha Eaglemont property in Chiredzi with one Noel Farai,
lease valid from 2008 to 2033.

Some countries have pointed out that the looting frenzy is in violation of
bilateral investment and property protection agreements between, with the EU
suggesting a tightening of targeted sanctions on individuals involved.

Mzembi has condemned the grabbing of conservancies by his counterparts in
Zanu (PF), saying it drove away tourists and tarnished the country’s image.
But Environment and Natural Resources Management Minister, Francis Nhema,
told The Zimbabwean that people should desist from “making a storm in a tea
cup” about it.

“Before 2000, these conservancies were run by a few individuals and now they
have been given to the masses. This will not affect tourism at all. The
media should rather be advocating against open defecation which has a more
bearing on tourist arrivals than concentrating on these conservancies.”

Other Zanu (PF) bigwigs named as beneficiaries of the takeover of
conservancies include Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa (6,210 ha of
Moreena Farm, a Midlands black rhino conservancy), former Deputy Minister
Obert Matshalaga (2,000 ha of South Shangani Farm Subdivision), Provincial
Governor Machaya (3,278 ha of Pitscottie Farm) and Cephas Msipa, a former
governor with 3,043 ha on South Shangani, another black rhino conservancy.

The list includes 69 properties in Masvingo leased to more than 250 Zanu
(PF) beneficiaries while the Midlands has 24 and Matabeleland North and
South provinces seven. The leaseholders were charged an administration fee
of $200 for the properties.

The document does not say how the properties were identified or whether the
erstwhile owners will be compensated. Mzembi has recently been under fire
from party colleagues, particularly in Masvingo, who accuse him of selling
out on the party.

The schedule includes a substantial number of chiefs and people bearing the
same surnames as Zanu (PF) beneficiaries, indicating the possibility of
nepotism. Common names appearing include the Malulekes, Baloyis and Hungwes
from Masvingo and Nkomos from Matabeleland.

Other beneficiaries

Senior party official July Moyo, Vice President John Nkomo, Joshua Malinga,
Manicaland party stalwart Enock Pourisingazi, Attorney General Johannes
Tomana, Army chief of staff, Major General Engelbert Rugeje, Masvingo.
Provincial Governor and Resident Minister, Titus Maluleke, former governor
Josiah Hungwe, Shuvai Mahof a and Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, the COPAC
co-chairperson, Paul Chimedza, Fortune Charumbira, leader of Chiefs’
Council. The majority of these beneficiaries are already on the EU sanctions
list, but if the bloc were to go ahead and include the rest, it would see a
ballooning of the number of affected Zanu (PF) members.

quote:

Higher Education minister Stan Mudenge was given a lease to the 16 507 hectare Senuko 2 ranch

It appears that Stan will not enjoy the fruits of his thievery.


http://news.yahoo.com/veteran-...-dies-123225758.html

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — State radio says Zimbabwe's former foreign minister Stan Mudenge has died. He was 71.
The radio on Friday reported Mudenge collapsed before giving a speech at a meeting of academics in the southern town of Masvingo.
A loyalist of President Robert Mugabe's party, he was the foreign minister for a decade after serving as the country's chief diplomat at the United Nations for five years. At the time of his death Thursday he was the higher education minister in charge of universities and colleges.
Mudenge had received treatment for a heart condition. As an academic and historian, his writings on ancient African civilizations became school textbooks after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980 that debunked much of the colonial-era teaching on a 14th Century tribal dynasty from which Zimbabwe draws its name.

Just read a report on "The other Africa Forum" on a really good hunt that just wrapped up in Save with Roger Whittal Safaris.