News / National
Govt investigates impact of cyanide at Hwange National Park
23 Sep 2013 at 17:52hrs | Views
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has dispatched a team of inspectors to Hwange National Park to evaluate the impact of cyanide poisoning on water sources.
The move is meant to preserve human and animal life at the park following the death of more than 80 elephants which were poisoned by poachers.
Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Directorate confirmed the development. Dr Nyasha Masuka said the ministry has sent a team to collect samples of water from water sources.
"We are on high alert as a ministry about the cyanide poisoning at the Hwange National Park. Probably this has affected the environment and the general ecosystem. We have sent a team of health inspectors to the park to assess the situation and take samples to see if the water sources are safe," said Dr Masuka.
"We expect our inspectors to submit a report on their findings today so that we take appropriate measures to ensure that the public is safe."
Meanwhile, a man who allegedly hired two villagers in Tsholotsho to administer poison at elephants' watering holes has applied for bail. Chitsa applied for bail through his lawyer Mr Liberty Mcijo, of Mcijo, Dube and Partners arguing that the magistrate's court had misdirected itself by refusing to grant him bail.
The bail application is yet to be set down for hearing at the Bulawayo High Court.
Chitsa, and the Mafu brothers are being charged with contravening Section 24(1)(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14 'hunting without authority' and Section 73(1) of the Environmental Management Agency Act, Chapter 20:27.
The move is meant to preserve human and animal life at the park following the death of more than 80 elephants which were poisoned by poachers.
Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Directorate confirmed the development. Dr Nyasha Masuka said the ministry has sent a team to collect samples of water from water sources.
"We are on high alert as a ministry about the cyanide poisoning at the Hwange National Park. Probably this has affected the environment and the general ecosystem. We have sent a team of health inspectors to the park to assess the situation and take samples to see if the water sources are safe," said Dr Masuka.
Meanwhile, a man who allegedly hired two villagers in Tsholotsho to administer poison at elephants' watering holes has applied for bail. Chitsa applied for bail through his lawyer Mr Liberty Mcijo, of Mcijo, Dube and Partners arguing that the magistrate's court had misdirected itself by refusing to grant him bail.
The bail application is yet to be set down for hearing at the Bulawayo High Court.
Chitsa, and the Mafu brothers are being charged with contravening Section 24(1)(b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act, Chapter 20:14 'hunting without authority' and Section 73(1) of the Environmental Management Agency Act, Chapter 20:27.
Source - Byo24News
