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Peter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
THE West’s illegal sanctions regime has wreaked havoc in Zimbabwe and business will support Government efforts to protect and preserve the country’s wildlife and natural resources, the business community has said.
Speaking during the unveiling of two boats worth US$64 000 acquired by the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to fight fish poachers in Lake Kariba as well as the announcement of a Board of Trustees to mobilise funds to manage the Hwange ecological disaster, Zimoco chief executive Mr Bob Crossley said business was concerned with the harm wrought on wildlife management by the illegal sanctions.
“We got sanctions and we are going to be on the way side. We have to make sure we break barriers and work,” Mr Crossley said.
He said animals should not be affected by sanctions which the Westerners claimed were targeted at the Zanu-PF leadership.
“That’s my feeling sanctions should not affect wildlife in Zimbabwe. That’s why we came in and donated a double cab GWM to National Parks so that we overcome the hurdle,” he said.
The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said the West’s sanctions regime had seriously affected the operations of the organisation with the World Bank withholding US$67 million in assistance it had pledged.
Before the imposition of sanctions by the United States and its European allies, the United States Agency for International Development and the EU were heavily involved in funding wildlife management operations.
Prior to the imposition of sanctions, the authority had a proud history of effective management underpinned by an elaborate national conservation strategy, introduced by Government in the mid-1980’s.
Zimoco also pledged to give Econet Wireless a discount when they buy trucks for national parks.
Mbada Diamonds chief administration officer Mr Major Mahlangu also said business was committed to work and support Government.
“Business pledges to work with Government in the protection and preservation of wildlife and natural resources,” Mr Mahlangu said.
Other business executives, among them Econet Wireless marketing director Mr Isaiah Nyangari, pledged to support Government.
Meanwhile, Government has set up a Trust Fund to mobilise funds for conservation at Hwange National Park in the wake of the callous cyanide poisoning by poachers that has claimed 100 elephants and an indeterminate number of other game that fed on the carcasses and drank from the poisoned water holes.
The Trust Fund committee comprises Mr Crossely, Mr Mahlangu, Mr Nyangari, Steward Bank chief executive Mr Nkwanele Ngwenya, Mr Moses Mtombeni a lawyer and board member of Premier Service Medical Aid Society, Environment Africa executive director Ms Charlene Hewett, owner of Senuko Save Valley Conservancy Mr Clive Stockhill and Baker Tilly Gwatidzo chief executive officer Mr Phibion Gwatidzo.
Mbada Diamonds has since pledged to donate 10 Land Rover vehicles to National Parks while Econet pledged to install satellite tracking devices on all the vehicles for the anti-poaching initiative at the third largest wildlife sanctuary in Africa.
Environment, Water and Climate Minister Cde Saviour Kasukuwere announced the team of trustees.
“We are going to protect our resources it’s going to be painful and those who get caught they must not complain. We are going to execute our responsibility without fear or favour,” Cde Kasukuwere said.
“Criminals within and outside we will pursue them and we will incorporate international organisations such as Interpol and others to crack down on the pay master. Those who are benefiting from our ivory. So the war is on, it’s a war which we will win. We are not going to surrender. Thank you for the support,” he said.
Cde Kasukuwere also said the team of trustees was set up in response to the Hwange Ecological Disaster.
“A team of trustees has been set up to mobilise funds for conservation in Hwange. The team comprises members of leading corporates and institutions who have worked tirelessly for conservation and environment related issues in Zimbabwe,” Cde Kasukuwere said.
He challenged companies and individuals to come to the rescue of wildlife in Hwange National Park and other parks.
“As such let us join hands as a nation to sustainably utilise our natural resources and embrace environmental stewardship,” he said.
Cde Kasukuwere also said the purchase of the two boats would go a long way in improving the fight against fish poaching and operations at the research station in Kariba.
“Fish poaching in our water bodies continues to escalate. I am reliably informed that there is pressure on the fish population in Lake Kariba due to differences in legislation between Zambia and Zimbabwe,” he said.
Cde Kasukuwere said non adherence to the 1999 Protocol on Technical Co-operation between Zimbabwe and Zambia had also contributed to dwindling fish in the lake.
He said currently Zambia has 632 fishing rigs while Zimbabwe has 400 rigs.
Cde Kasukuwere said he was concerned with the behaviour shown by some holders of Kapenta fishing permits who were fishing in prohibited breeding areas.
The minister also hailed the judiciary for passing stiffer sentences on the perpetrators of the Hwange National Park Ecological Disaster.
“The purchase of these boats comes at a time when as our efforts to lobby for stiffer penalties are bearing fruit. Anti-poaching strategies alone do not work without stiffer sentences hence my ministry hails the sentences passed recently,” he said.
Three of the eight poachers arrested for killing the jumbos were sentenced to 16 years in prison each.
They were also ordered to pay for each elephant they killed by December 31, 2013.
The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has since begun burning the carcasses while the Environmental Management Authority is de-contaminating the most affected areas.
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