Hunting concessions on State land to be renewed

Herald Reporter

HUNTING concessions on State land, including traditional safari areas and the experimental leases will be renewed from an initial period of five years in line with the Parks and Wildlife Act, Minister of Environment and Tourism Cde Francis Nhema has said.

Cde Nhema said in a statement yesterday that the renewal depended on satisfactory performance during the first five years.

"After a total of 10 years, these concessions will be auctioned. The renewal further depends on the payment of the current market value right to hunt fees based on the annual fixed quota," he said.

The minister said other conditions such as the payment of annual concession fees equivalent to 30 percent of the trophy fees for the fixed quota, would also apply.

He said any leases that have been running for more than 10 years, in line with Government policy on indigenisation, would be auctioned at the expiry of their current leases so as to rationalise all such leases on State land to the period stipulated in the Act.

Cde Nhema said anyone who was in doubt about the status of their concessions should contact the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority for clarification.

"In light of this, the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is directed to take appropriate action to ensure that this is complied with," he said.

Last year Government ordered a comprehensive inventory of hunting concessions countrywide as it emerged that cases of alleged underhand dealings were rampant in the allocation of the lucrative concessions.

Some individuals were reported to have been holding onto their concessions for more than 10 years and others up to 20 years for speculative purposes.

Sounds like the government is going to make more money auctioning off those leases. I think the last one went for 50 billion (if I remember correctly from Arican Hunting Info web site)in there currency whatever that amounts to. Going to squeeze these operators for all they can get.

The Hunting Outfitters will be squeezed for every drop the Zimbabwe Government can get out of them. Just guess who, in the end, will have to pay more for hunting?

Hunt now, while you cannot afford it at all! Soon you won't be able to afford to hunt ever!

$50 billion in Zim dollars is relatively cheap I think. I bought $1.5 million worth of gifts in Harare airport last summer for $75 or 80 US.