Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
AN Environmental Management Agency (EMA) legal officer, Ms Linda Masudze says the ongoing workshop which is being held at a Bulawayo hotel is meant to, among other objectives, identify and analyse the key challenges faced by law enforcement agencies.
The Agency is holding a two-day multi-stakeholder engagement on challenges in the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of environmental cases, with a particular focus on the Matabeleland region.
It is being held under the theme; Bridging the gap.’
“We have a number of objectives for holding this workshop, the first one is to identify and analyse the key challenges faced by law enforcement agencies, EMA, Forestry Commission, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) the Judiciary and the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of environmental cases in Zimbabwe,” said Ms Masudze.
She said environment includes wildlife, forestry and anything slightly related or connected to the environment.
She said the second objective is to facilitate a constructive dialogue among all relevant stakeholders on existing gaps and opportunities for strengthening environmental law enforcement in the multi-billion region of the country.
Ms Masudze said they were very keen on understanding some of the things which are happening, particularly in environments where the participants come come.
“We want to have an understanding, we want us to have a discussion, we want us to have insights that are particularly specific to Matabeleland and we want to have that dialogue so that at the end of the day we have particular solutions which have an impact in the Matabeleland region,” said Ms Masudze.
She said the third objective was for the participants to share knowledge, experiences and best practices in the environmental crime prevention and response.
“I have to emphasize that this workshop is a safe space, we want to know the nitty-gritties so that when we compile the report and share it with our superiors we know we’ve done something quite effective. The fourth objective is to develop a set of practical and actionable recommendations for improving the effectiveness, efficiency and fairness of the environmental justice in Zimbabwe,” said Ms Masudze.
