Save Conservancy saga rages on

Mr Nyabadza.
However, Mr Nyabadza who represents Arda in the conservancy on Thursday said the decisions made were null and void.
The Arda board chairman said the meeting was just a monthly anti-poaching one that had nothing to do with administrative and management issues.  
In an interview on Thursday, Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke, confirmed the Wednesday meeting.
“Yes, I can confirm the meeting at the conservancy and it was unanimously agreed to endorse Cde Baloyi’s election as chairman.”
The names of other board members could not be ascertained on Thursday.
The new chairman, however, said they were not dislodging Mr Nyabadza but would continue working with him as a representative of the old farmers.
Governor Maluleke said the decision was made at a meeting between farmers and their new partners. He, however, dismissed reports that the new partners were individuals imposed on them.
“They are authentic partners presented to (Environment and Natural Resources Management) Minister Francis Nhema from my office.”
The partners, he said, were chosen through criteria as laid out in the Wildlife-based Land Reform Policy.
“Old farmers and their new partners would now be operating in the conservancy. Communities would be benefiting through the new partnerships.”
Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management director general, Mr Vitalis Chadenga, recently said the farmers had an option of partnering Government, communities and private indigenous investors.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi has also condemned the “imposed” partnerships. He said it was a ploy to empower few individuals who have benefited in other spheres of indigenisation programmes.
Governor Maluleke conceded that some of the partners benefited from other programmes. He is one of the partners nominated to partner the farmers.
Other prominent personalities include war veteran Cde Joseph Chinotimba, Cde Baloyi, former legislator Cde Shuvai Mahofa, Mr Chadenga and former Tourism and Hospitality Industry secretary Dr Sylvester Maunganidze, among others.
Former Chipinge South legislator Cde Enock Porusingazi, who is on the list, has however, distanced himself from the controversies.
The resident minister said he had an eight-hectare plot at a sugar estate in the province. He, however, said his office was against poaching in the conservancy.
“We have never heard of any incidences of poaching but I am convinced that the National Parks are after the said poachers. We do not condone poaching.”
He said Zimbabwe could do without hosting the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly.
“We are a sovereign State with our indigenisation policies. These cannot be stopped because of a single event.”
The Wednesday meeting was recorded and The Herald is in possession of the minutes.
New partners did not want to discuss anti-poaching issues but other issues. One even shouted that they were more interested in “meat” than any other issues.
Cde Baloyi declared that the new partners would not produce business proposals nor buy shares.
According to a statement attributed in the minutes he declared; “We have been given the rights and that is all there is to it… We are here to make money.”
In an interview, Cde Baloyi acknowledged the meeting but said their efforts were to reconcile the two groups.
“We were given leases to join the farmers not to dislodge them. We would however continue working with them until a solution is found.”
Mr Nyabadza said: “Arda was elected to chair the executive committee in February this year and I represent the authority.
“New partners came to security meeting that would report progress to the executive on their anti-poaching activities.”
He said a senior National Parks regional manager identified as Mrs Tom chaired the meeting that was also attended by security departments.
“The meeting was recorded and attendees were quoted verbatim and information has been delivered to the relevant authorities.
“The meeting had nothing to do with management or administrative issues of the conservancy.”
He insisted that he was still in charge as chairperson.
“The issue is not contested by anyone except Mr Baloyi who has expressed his wish that I am not from Masvingo province.
“It’s a personal and limited idea which will not be bought by my party (Zanu-PF) and Government,” said Mr Nyabadza.
Arda is a founding member of the conservancy and assumed chairmanship, which is rotated among members.