|
Back to Index
ZCTF
Report - March 2012
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
March 15, 2012
Update
on Chiredzi River Conservancy
Despite numerous
reports and photos having been supplied to the authorities, the
destruction of Chiredzi River Conservancy by illegal settlers continues
unabated. It is now alleged that the settlers are putting together
a petition to present to Parliament
requesting that all the elephants be shot as they are destroying
their crops. This is a very strange request in view of the fact
that crops can't be successfully grown in this arid, not arable
area.
Settlers have now started invading Oscro Ranch which is one of the
last remaining areas of Chiredzi River Conservancy with no settlers.
They are moving into the area, chopping down trees and building
shelters. All these people have already taken land elsewhere in
the conservancy. Reports are made daily to the police but they have
not responded. It is alleged that war vets are the driving force
behind these invasions.
Rhino poaching in South Africa
Rhino poaching
in South Africa has reached shocking proportions with 448 killed
last year and it is believed, around 110 killed this year already.
A big thank you to the South African authorities who are making
a huge effort to strike back at the poachers.
Five men, including 2 game farmers and game rangers have been arrested
in a sting operation involving an alleged rhino poaching syndicate.
The men arrested were Ewart Potgieter, Riaan Vermaak, Filemon Mbatha,
Nkosinathi Sithole and Mduduzi Sithole.
In a stop-and-search operation by South African police, Joseph (Big
Joe) Nyalunga, one of the most wanted men in the underworld of rhino
poaching was arrested after being caught with 4 rhino horns hidden
behind the seat of his car.
Four people were arrested in Bedfordview when they were found in
possession of rhino horn after a car crash.
Five poachers were arrested at Madikwe Game Reserve in the North
West.
Two men believed to be linked to several rhino poaching incidents
in Kruger National Park were arrested after being found with a weapon
aand ammunition stashed under the seat of their car.
Three Mozambiquan citizens, Aselmo Baloyi, Jawaki Nkuna and Ismael
Baloyi were sentenced to 25 years each after being found guilty
of illegally huntin rhino in Kruger National Park.
Chumlong Lemtongthai and Marnus Steyl appeared in court after being
accused of running one of South Africa's largest rhino horn smuggling
syndicates wherein they used prostitutes to pose as trophy hunters.
Nine suspected poachers have been arrested in the Limpopo and North
West.
A man has been arrested in Pretoria for illegal possession of rhino
horns.
A driver, Sipho Mkhwanazi was sentenced to 3 years in prison or
a fine of R10 000 for transporting rhino horns.
Two rhino poachers were shot dead in a follow up operation after
eight rhino carcasses were discovered near Pretoriuskop and Lower
Sabi.
Four government wildlife staff including a game ranger and a traffic
policeman have been arrested for killing rhinos in the Kruger National
park.
Three veterinarians and five other men appeared in court in connection
with the wrongful possession and distribution of scheduled veterinary
drugs commonly used in rhino poaching.
Sherwood Tree Planting Day
Sherwood Golf
Club has committed itself to helping the environment by going green
and one of their first projects is to plant up to 2000 trees. They
are working hand in hand with COSMO Trust, the Monavale community
organisation which maintains one of the few remaining wetlands in
the Harare area.
On Saturday, 3rd March, they held a tree planting ceremony at the
golf course where trees, supplied by COSMO were sold to interested
people. The trees purchased were planted on the golf course and
tagged with the purchaser's name so that the buyer can monitor its
growth. The money raised from selling the trees will go towards
preserving the wetlands.
In addition to tree planting, Sherwood Golf Club is also using environmentally
friendly fertilizers. They are actively involved with various organisations
and individuals in cleaning up the environment by collecting materials
for recycling. Empty tin cans (beer or soft drinks) can be dropped
off at the club where they will be stored for recycling.
The official tree planting ceremony was held at 12 noon and a talk
was given by the Honourable Member of Parliament, Ms J Majome.
We would like to comment Sherwood Golf Club for the stance they
have taken in helping to preserve our environment and we encourage
other clubs to follow their example.
Thank you
A very big thank you to the following people who have assisted us
with funds recently. If you have donated and your name is not on
the list, please email us so we can check up on it.
- John &
Helen Buckle
- Hugh Atkinson
- Claire Ives
- Vikki Rolf
and friends
- Carol Wales
Smith
- Jessica Wiggins
- Deborah Robertson
- Christine
Lesieur
- Michelle
Sindall
- Elisabeth
Stotter-Tromm
- Kari Hess
- Caroline
Redmond
- Dorian Richardson
- Anita Staines
- Liz Grainger
- Chris Noon
- Christine
Mashburn
- Michelle
Nortje
Visit the ZCTF
fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
