Zimbabwe’s Information Minister — Jonathan Moyo, who has closed down three newspapers and ordered the arrest of more than 75 journalists — has been accused of seizing a renowned wildlife sanctuary and turning it into a “slaughterhouse”.
The architect of President Robert Mugabe’s state propaganda machine used armed gangs to take over the Sikumi Tree Lodge in Matabeleland a year ago, claims owner Thys de Vries, who is challenging the seizure and others by Cabinet ministers and the ruling Zanu-PF party’s elite in court.
Conservationists say Moyo has turned the safari area, which borders the Hwange National Park, over to South African hunters who are paying to mow down wildlife.
Sikumi Tree Lodge used to be a showpiece of eco-tourism, with picturesque tree houses that overlooked 18Â 000ha of forested savannah and an abundant, well-managed wildlife population.
“Now the animals are being slaughtered there,” said De Vries.
The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force said it is alarmed by reports of uncontrolled hunting at game lodges seized by Mugabe’s supporters. Chairperson Johnny Rodrigues has had first-hand accounts of “killing sprees” in Matabeleland.
“Our informant met some South African hunters. He was told they were engaged in a massive hunting expedition on a game ranch now being taken over by settlers. Among the carcasses he saw were lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, kudu, sable, impala and even baboon.”
Moyo did not respond to phone calls from The Observer. But Morris Mtsambiwa, director general of the government’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, earlier countered the charges of illegal hunting and said it is not widespread.
“On farms it was a problem up to a year ago, but new farmers are seeking quotas. We appreciate information on illegal hunting and will investigate it.” — Guardian Unlimited Â