Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Akashinga, an all-female anti-poaching unit, has opened a new chapter in its collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) after high-level talks aimed at intensifying the fight against wildlife crime.
Akashinga’s liaison and development manager, Mr Power Mupunga, paid a courtesy call on Prosecutor General Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo to explore opportunities for joint initiatives.
The meeting centred on three core strategies: expanding public awareness campaigns to educate communities on the importance of protecting wildlife, harnessing technology to monitor and secure endangered species and enhancing the training of prosecutors and rangers.
Both parties highlighted the growing role of electronic evidence—from GPS tracking devices to field monitoring cameras—in strengthening prosecutions and setting legal precedents in wildlife crime cases.
Justice Matanda-Moyo said there was an urgent need for multi-sectoral partnerships to address the escalating problem.
“The large-scale worldwide illicit wildlife trade has a staggering impact on wildlife and the environment,” she said.“The NPAZ, like other players in the criminal justice value chain, needs all the help it can get to ensure Zimbabwe finds sustainable solutions to defeat wildlife crime.”
Mr Mupunga said the collaboration marks a step forward in aligning law enforcement and conservation efforts, ensuring that offenders face swift and effective justice.Akashinga—meaning “The Brave Ones” in Shona—has gained international recognition for its women-led, community-focused approach to anti-poaching.
The NPAZ plays a pivotal role in prosecuting offenders under Zimbabwe’s wildlife laws, making the partnership a potentially powerful tool in protecting the country’s natural heritage.
