Zanu-PF chefs evicted

THE government has started kicking out Zanu-PF and senior military officials from the Save Valley Conservancy in Chiredzi after serving them with letters cancelling the 25-year leases they were issued under the wildlife-based land reform.

Most of the beneficiaries at Save Valley were senior Zanu-PF politicians from Masvingo.

The German government, whose citizens have invested in the 3,400 square-km prized wildlife sanctuary, has previously claimed that Save was protected by an international Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA).

The Cabinet ordered the withdrawal of their leases on the recommendation of the Zanu-PF Politburo in May this year. The Politburo accused most of the beneficiaries of "doubledipping" as they also owned A2 farms elsewhere.

Among the beneficiaries given the boot from Save Valley Conservancy is former Masvingo Governor Titus Maluleke, Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Shuvai Mahofa, Politburo member Cde Nelson Mawema, former Chiredzi South MP Cde Ailess Baloyi and his former Chiredzi North counterpart, Cde Ronald Ndaba.

Senior army official, Major General Engelbert Rugeje is understood to have also been served with an eviction letter. Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti on Monday confirmed that the government withdrew all the 25-year leases given to indigenous beneficiaries at Save Valley.

Minister Bhasikiti said the government expected beneficiaries to accept the withdrawal.

This follows a meeting between the beneficiaries and Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere recently where the decision to kick them out of Save Conservancy was explained.

"The government has withdrawn all the 25-year leases that were issued to indigenous beneficiaries at Save Valley. Most of the beneficiaries were accused of double-dipping as they owned farms elsewhere. I cannot name the individuals issued with letters of withdrawal but I know that all the leases were withdrawn," Minister Bhasikiti said.

"I don't expect that they (beneficiaries) will give us any problems. I hope they will concentrate on the other A2 farms they have."

He said the withdrawal of the leases would benefit communities around Save Conservancy.

Cde Baloyi confirmed receiving a withdrawal letter.

"I received my letter of withdrawal last month (August) and some of my colleagues have also been receiving their own letters from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. We've not yet made a decision on the next plan of action but we're going to appeal to the government against the withdrawal. It's a tricky situation and we can't accept the withdrawal unless some of our questions are answered," he said.

Cde Baloyi said they wanted to know why only beneficiaries from Save Conservancy were being affected when others were benefiting elsewhere.

"We want clarification on why it is only us (beneficiaries at Save Valley) who are being targeted. There are similar operations in Mwenezi and Matabeleland North, so why target us only at Save Valley?''

While other beneficiaries could not be reached for comment, Major General Rugeje said he did not receive any letter.

"I've not received anything. In fact, I was out of the country I only came on Monday. I don't know anything,'' he said.

Five of the beneficiaries, including Major General Rugeje, took the government to the High Court in July this year demanding to be issued hunting quotas at Save Valley Conservancy for the 2014 season.

German investor Wilfried Pabst, who is vice-chair of the conservancy, says "two-thirds of stakeholders of the conservancy are black", adding: "It is now being threatened by a collection of greedy individuals who are bringing nothing into the conservancy and will destroy it."

Running along the banks of the Save River, the conservancy - respected as a leader in wildlife management and research - is collectively controlled by international investors, white ranchers who formerly ran cattle on the land, local black businessmen and hundreds of rural farmers.

"It is a working example of how something really special can be a success, by including all sectors of the community, especially the rural poor who have previously got nothing out of wildlife," says Pabst.

Save is a habitat for elephant, zebra, giraffe, as well as the nation's second largest surviving population of endangered black rhinoceros.

The area also supports an array of antelope and most species of birds and small animals.