Chronicle EditorJohn Murirwa and Blessings Chidakwa
VILLAGERS in some parts of Nyami Nyami District have called for the establishment of a police post at Gache Gache Fishing Camps to curb rampant poaching.
The villagers said there was need for control of Gillnet fishing in the fishing camps to reduce illegal and unsustainable fishing.
Gillnet fishing is now rampant on the Lake Kariba shores that include Msampa, Chalala, Sibilobilo, Nyakatanda and Makuyu. Nyami Nyami RDC chairman Mr Lovemore Negande said local villagers had since approached council over the establishment of a police post in the area.
“Gache Gache Ward 2 community have appealed to us to facilitate the establishment of a Police Post at the fishing camp,” he said.
Mr Negande said as part of temporary measures, council had acquired a speed boat to monitor fishing activities in the area.
“We have acquired a speed boat for patrols and council game scouts will be monitoring Gillnet fishing activities in all fishing camps,” he said.
Mr Negande urged the rural folks to work with council to combat fish poaching.
“It is the acquisition of a speed boat that gives us the confidence that the anti-poaching activities will be strengthened,” he said.
“The community is encouraged to guard our resources jealously and utilise them in a sustainable way.
“The area is endowed with abundant wildlife resources because of its proximity to Lake Kariba and forms part of the tourism hub of Mashonaland West Province.”
A villager, Mrs Evelyn Shemira, also appealed to Government to consider establishing a Grain Marketing Board collection point in the area.
“We are appealing to our Government to establish collection points close to us,” she said. “The closest GMB depot is at Magunje Growth Point, about 220 kilometres from Siakobvu.”
Online Reporter