Villagers surrender undisclosed quantities of cyanide

TSHOLOTSHO villagers have surrendered undisclosed quantities of cyanide part of which was used to kill elephants at the Hwange National Park.

The villagers, who admitted having taken part in the  poisoning of the nearly 100 elephants before a ministerial delegation recently, pleaded with the authorities to give them up to last month to surrender the cyanide they still had.

At least 110 elephants died of cyanide poisoning  and several wildlife species along the food chain have also been killed.
Chief Siphoso from Pumula area in Tsholotsho confirmed in an interview yesterday that the villagers had surrendered some of the cyanide they were keeping in their homes.

"The villagers have surrendered the cyanide. Although I do not know what cyanide looks like, the villagers surrendered some quantities of the said chemical, which I handed over to the police," said Chief Siphoso.

"You are aware that the villagers were given up to Thursday last week to surrender the toxic chemical and we emphasised the importance of meeting this deadline."

Chief Siphoso, however, said the people who brought the chemical could not be identified as they dumped the substance along a path next to Pelandaba Primary under the cover of darkness.

"I cannot tell who these people are because bafika bajikela endleleni eduze lesikolo (they just dumped it on a path near the school).
"All the cyanide we got was dumped by unknown individuals. Last time we also picked up some near Phelela Primary. In all these cases we have informed the police," said Chief Siphoso.

He said the traditional leadership was committed to working with the Government to rid the area of poaching syndicates that were threatening wild life.

"I am happy that people are cooperating after the meeting we held with ministers. I believe the villagers did not know how deadly the chemical they kept was.

"We also want to be clear as traditional leaders because we pleaded with the Government to give amnesty to villagers who possessed cyanide," said the Chief.

"We are happy that the villagers have surrendered the chemical."
Comment could not be obtained from the police.

The poisoning of elephants at the park has made headlines internationally with stakeholders calling for the tightening of security to protect the country's wildlife.

A ministerial delegation comprising Cde Saviour Kasukuwere (Environment, Water and Climate), Cde Kembo Mohadi (Home Affairs), Professor Jonathan Moyo (Information, Media and Broadcasting Services), Dr Sydney Sekeramayi (Defence) Engineer Walter Mzembi (Tourism and Hospitality Industry) and Cde Walter Chidhakwa (Mines and Mining Development) visited the park to have an appreciation of the problem that is threatening to wipe out the game at the park.

The ministers also visited salt pans at which cyanide was put and held meetings with the villagers and their local leadership urging them to desist from poaching or harbouring poachers.

"I am happy that people are cooperating after the meeting we held with ministers. I believe the villagers did not know how deadly the chemical they kept was."