Khaya Moyo intervenes in Save Valley Conservancy saga

intervention from Government to save it.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi weighed in, calling for the speedy resolution of the impasse that was threatening to tarnish Zimbabwe’s image ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly in August next year.
Government sources also questioned the push to implement the wildlife-based land reform policy saying it had not gone through the necessary channels in Government.
Cde Khaya Moyo yesterday confirmed meeting Minister Nhema and Mr Nyabadza.
“Yes, I can confirm the meeting between the three of us and we discussed a number of issues related to the conservancy and I believe a lot of progress was made,” he said.
The Zanu-PF national chairman could not give further details about the meeting.
In a letter to Cabinet, of which The Herald has a copy, the SVC vice chairman Mr Wilfried Pabst said the conservancy was known the world over as a “Gold Standard of Conservancy”.
“Yet it is close to extinction due to outside forces and illegal actions that are about to eradicate over 20 years of conservancy management and community development.”
The letter further alleges that leases and hunting permits had been issued to selected individuals.
“This is the single most serious threat to the SVC’s survival and all the wildlife it harbours as it denies the current operators all income.
“While an official list of recipients is yet to be provided to the SVC, some individuals are known through their own declarations to specific properties.
“These recipients have made public statements indicating that they are not willing to contribute to the asset base and have little interest in the wildlife business.
“By public and recorded statements they just want cash. This has taken place despite the fact that Government wants to see community-based participation which we, with local and foreign investors and our embassies would like to develop to the fullest.”
According to the letter, SVC members had been refused hunting permit for the 2012 season which has turned into a “total failure”.
The situation has caused foreign hunters to cancel their visits.
A Government source yesterday questioned the legality of the policy used in allocating the leases to the 25 individuals.
“The process is very multifunctional including consultations with stakeholders and the problems            being encountered are a manifestation of the lack of an input from the affected who are crying for audience.”
He said the policy should have gone through the Attorney General’s Office before being discussed by the Cabinet committees of legal affairs and investments.
“As long as it has not been tabled before Cabinet, it is not Government policy.
“Cabinet has a memory base and documents are archived way back to the days of Ian Smith and the responsible authorities should produce minutes to that effect.”
The imposition of partners, he said, would cause strife and acrimony in the conservancy.
“You cannot take individuals and argue that this is empowerment. Where are the traditional leaders? Where are the rural district councils? These are the genuine people who want to be empowered.
“An audit would shock anyone who sees what they have received in other sectors as part of the indigenisation programme.”
The official accused individuals of riding on areas that people do not have knowledge on for them to challenge the situation.
“These are sectors that do not have equity checks. They are exploiting the ignorance of the masses.”
Minister Mzembi said wildlife was one of the few authentic tourism products in Zimbabwe and              Africa.
“It is the only thing that brings tourists to Africa. As long as there is conflict this product is not marketable. Zimbabwe is the last bastion of authentic wildlife in southern Africa.”
He called for a speedy resolution of the conflict so that Zimbabwe could prepare for the UNWTO general assembly.
“How can you start wetting your bed while waiting for the bride? The UNWTO is our wedding with the world and we should prepare thoroughly for the meeting,” he said.
Minister Mzembi added: “We are diplomatically soiling ourselves because the UNWTO is not about tourism but branding Zimbabwe, its people, culture, trade and investment and governance.”