http://allafrica.com/stories/201408221457.html


Zimbabwe: Safari Operators Cry Foul Over Permits


DELAYS by government in issuing hunting permits have prejudiced the Save Conservancy of millions of United States dollars in lost business.

Property owners in the rich wildlife conservancy said an eight-month delay in issuing them with permits has cost them millions in lost earnings and also projected the country as an unfriendly destination for investment.

"All foreign-owned properties received their hunting permits although some eight months later than required causing serious damage to their safari businesses and Zimbabwe's external reputation as during the eight-month delay no business was possible," said Wilfried Pabst, who is vice-chairperson of the conservancy, in an interview.

Although Pabst and other safari operators in the sanctuary, regarded as one of the largest in the world, could not give the exact amounts lost in business, he said it ran into millions of dollars given the high value of hunting the big four animals, namely the lion, elephant, buffalo and leopard.

According to information given to this paper on Wednesday by Johnny Rodrigues, chairperson for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, it costs a maximum of US$30 000 each to hunt a lion or an elephant and a maximum of US$22 000 each for a leopard or a buffalo.

Without elaborating Rodrigues said greed caused the delays or failure to give licences to the competent safari operators thereby impacting negatively on business as well as conservation efforts in wildlife.

While foreign owners are said to have received their permits, local white owners have reportedly still not received theirs -- a development which they allege is part of government efforts to arm-twist them into ceding a stake as part of the controversial indigenisation policy to empower blacks.

"All Zimbabwe-owned properties are without hunting or operating permits. This is a blackmail to force acceptance of a highly illegal and improper indigenisation idea proposed and fought strongly against by our chiefs as well as Zimbabwean operators," said one of the operators.

The indigenisation plans were first communicated in January by Environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who said white Zimbabweans should cede up to 51% of their properties in accordance with the law.

On Wednesday, Kasukuwere said although they may have been delays with respect to the hunting permits, government had made so much progress in addressing problems in the conservancy.

"We should not be looking back, but moving forward. We have done so much and covered a lot of ground to resolve problems at Save.

"Surely, there is progress even though there may have been problems."

He also defended the indigenisation plans saying, "everything we are doing is premised on the indigenisation laws of the country".

Ahh 'projected the country as an unfriendly destination for investment' I'm stunned ! Seems hard to find good news about Zim . My wife and I were hoping to hunt Sango next year contingent upon increased available permits, not a very encouraging outlook.

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Property owners in the rich wildlife conservancy said an eight-month delay in issuing them with permits has cost them millions in lost earnings and also projected the country as an unfriendly destination for investment.

I'm absolutely shocked!!! Why who would think that Zimbabwe (and pretty much all of Africa) would be an unfriendly destination for investment! Let's think about this; where else could you go (with the possible exception of the Mid-east) that not only are the governments corrupt, but just about all businesses and everyone you come into contact with will rip you off given half a chance. Investing in Africa would certainly put the excitement back in watching your dollars grow,, or disappear (most likely the latter). The property owners worrying about these matters is somewhat akin to a pimp worrying that his ladies of the evening may appear easy and have loose morals.

The only way African Leaders and their countries learns is if everyone pulls nipple out of their mouths and stops investing
They are so used to everyone always giving them something ( aka Obama African summit ) that they will never learn to take care of themselves.
It is sad state of affairs
Feel sorry actually for all the white Africans, they are experiencing classic racism that is absolutely unacceptable anywhere else and everyone gives black Africans pass
Kinda crazy

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Originally posted by wrenchmaster:

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Property owners in the rich wildlife conservancy said an eight-month delay in issuing them with permits has cost them millions in lost earnings and also projected the country as an unfriendly destination for investment.

I'm absolutely shocked!!! Why who would think that Zimbabwe (and pretty much all of Africa) would be an unfriendly destination for investment! Let's think about this; where else could you go (with the possible exception of the Mid-east) that not only are the governments corrupt, but just about all businesses and everyone you come into contact with will rip you off given half a chance. Investing in Africa would certainly put the excitement back in watching your dollars grow,, or disappear (most likely the latter). The property owners worrying about these matters is somewhat akin to a pimp worrying that his ladies of the evening may appear easy and have loose morals.

That's a little harsh. Yes there are more than enough who will rip you off. However to say just about everyone will do it is a stretch. After 11 trips to Zim, I have yet to be ripped off by anyone.