adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
TWENTY-SEVEN villagers from Woodlands Conservancy on the outskirts of Victoria Falls were yesterday arrested after demonstrating against last week’s High Court judgment that went against some Zanu-PF members.Last week, the Bulawayo High Court granted a provisional order barring some party members led by Zanu-PF councillor Elias Mzamba from interfering with the running of the lucrative safari business at Woodlands Conservancy.
Justice Nokuthula Moyo ordered them to surrender a hunting quota for this year to a local company, Words of Advice that is run by 118 resettled farmers, the alleged owners of the sanctuary.
Yesterday, those working with Mzamba demonstrated at Victoria Falls police station against the ruling saying it was not in their best interests.
Officer Commanding Victoria Falls, Chief Superintendent Jairos Chiwona could neither confirm nor deny the villagers’ arrest saying he was not in the resort town.
“I heard about the issue but I’m not in Falls. I’m in Bulawayo on my way to Plumtree. It was going to be better if I was on the ground. Try and get in touch with our provincial spokesperson,” said Chief Supt Chiwona.
Mzamba, the Zanu-PF councillor for the area, confirmed the arrests.
“The villagers were protesting as court orders are being used to victimise them. This is serious injustice and we want the President to also know about what is happening here,” he said.
The High Court also ordered Mzamba to hand over to Words of Advice the animal reserve’s hunting quota for this year. He and his group had collected the quota from the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority after a board he led was booted from Words of Advice following allegations of financial malpractice, fraud and poaching.
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