Charcoal poachers wreck havoc in Bubi

Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter

THE Bubi Rural District Council is struggling to contain rampant deforestation in Goodwood Village, Ward 6, where wood poachers have descended with a vengeance harvesting trees for charcoal and transporting it for sale.

The activity has been going on despite recent arrests and interceptions of illegal charcoal shipments by the authorities. The village, renowned for its iconic Mopane trees and “good wood”, is slowly losing its natural lustre as villagers continue harvesting and selling the valuable resource.

In an interview with Sunday News, chairman of the Environment sub-committee in the council, Councillor Ignatious Khabo acknowledged the ongoing battle to curb charcoal poaching, stating that authorities are working tirelessly with the Forestry Commission to address the issue.

“The Forestry Commission and council officials intercepted three trucks carrying over 280 bags of charcoal in the past week, leading to the arrest of several suspects and the exposure of a widespread charcoal poaching syndicate,” he said. Clr Khabo confirmed that the rings involve local villagers and external traders who exploit the area’s iconic Mopane trees for financial gain.

“The charcoal, produced from the Mopane trees, is in high demand by roadside maize sellers and restaurants in Bulawayo. The sad reality is that our villagers are failing to resist the financial temptation that comes with charcoal production. They see the Mopane trees as a means to an end such that they are willing to sacrifice our natural heritage for a quick profit, unaware of the long-term consequences of their actions,” he said.

Clr Khabo pointed out that the illegal charcoal trade is symptomatic of a lack of education and said it was important for the community to be educated on the benefits of preserving natural resources.“We need to educate our community on the importance of sustainable wood harvesting and preservation. We cannot simply resort to enforcement alone; we must empower our people with knowledge to value and protect our natural resources for future generations.

We owe it to ourselves, our children and our environment to get this right.“We urge the community to join us in this fight by reporting illegal charcoal harvesting activities to the authorities,” he said. Clr Khabo said the authorities will continue cracking down on illegal wood mining activities and those who refuse to heed the warning will face the full wrath of the law.

“Let this serve as a warning to those who continue to engage in this destructive practice. You will be caught, and you will face the full force of the law. We will not stand idle while our environment is ravaged for personal gain.”