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ZCTF
Report – November 2013
Zimbabwe
Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
November 26, 2013
Numbers
of elephants dead from cyanide poisoning
We have received conflicting figures of the number of elephants
that have died of
cyanide poisoning. According to one report, in July a group of people
flew over Tsholotsho and counted 300 carcasses. A statement issued
by the Parks and Wildlife Authority showed that a total of 149 elephants
have been poisoned from February this year. In a third report, a
group flew over Hwange National Park and counted 84 carcasses, although
this group didn't cover the whole park. We believe National Parks
have been burning and/or burying the carcasses so this might account
for the difference in the figures.
A former Zimbabwe Republican Police Officer, together with 4 villagers
poisoned 23 elephants using cyanide. He was sentenced to 4 years
in prison for disposing hazardous substances and illegal possession
of ivory. His accomplices, Sikhumbuzo Sibindi and Elvis Nkomo were
also sentenced to 4 years in prison each for violating sections
of the Environmental
Management Act. Mkhululi Ncube and Johannes Munkombwe each received
a 10-year prison sentence. They were also ordered to pay Parks and
Wildlife Authority $850 000 in compensation for the 20 elephants
they killed.
White
rhinos shot in Matopas
Just over 2 weeks ago, 2 white rhinos were shot in the protected
Matopas National Park. The rhinos had previously been dehorned but
the poachers removed the remaining stubs.
South
African hunters
We have received reports of South African hunters hunting unethically
in Chizarira National Park, Hwange and the Zambesi Valley.
Chiredzi
Conservancy invaded
The Chiredzi Conservancy has been invaded for the fourth time since
2002. Five thieves, who were arrested, broke into the Safari Hunting
Lodge and stole a considerable amount of goods. Amongst the items
stolen were all the bedding linen, matresses, towels, crockery and
glasses. The five who were arrested claimed that they didn't break
into the lodge. They said they stole the goods from the invaders
who were the real culprits. These invaders are the same people who
have trashed the safari lodges, asset stripped the property and
slaughtered the wildlife with impunity over the past 12 years. This
all took place under police protection and the crimes were passed
off as political acts and therefore were not considered to be a
crime.
The main invaders are Rambelani Choeni, Remember Ndou, Julias Seziba,
Jule Muleya, Elphias Seziba, Steven Mahade, and the notorious Obias
Ndou a habitual criminal who is known as King Gogo wa de Patswa
meaning King of the Thieves.
Despite keeping the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Tourism and
National Parks fully informed of the violent invasion, there has
not been the slightest indication of any form of intervention whatsoever.
This is in complete contrast to 2010 when the late Vitalis Chadenga,
Director General of National Parks travelled to Beit Bridge and
personally evicted the invaders from the property.
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fact
sheet
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