Poachers pact with Zambia

The EMA said the move would enhance environmental governance of natural resources in the Chirundu border area. Armed poachers in the region are targeting rhinos, elephants and zebras.
Foreigners such as Chinese and Asians, based in Zambia, are reported to be providing ready markets for rhino horns and elephant tusks.
Mashonaland West EMA spokesperson Lenia Mbira said the Chirundu area faced large environmental problems including wildlife poaching, veld fires, poor waste management and the indiscriminate cutting down of trees.
The border is lagging behind due to failure to care properly for the environment and this has resulted in the area developing environment problems of great magnitude such as deforestation and poaching, she said.
Mbira said they had engaged their Zambian counterparts to enhance environmental governance of the resources found within Chirundu.
The neglect of the border by the two countries has resulted in environment being overburdened by human activity such as its output capacity had exceeded its limit, Mbira said.
Poachers from Zambia are reported to depriving local authorities of $10 000 in trophy revenue every month. Locals blamed the police of being lenient and taking bribes from poachers, an allegation vehemently denied by officers.