The Conservancy has been under threat for many months by a group of ZANU PF aligned officials and war vets, who have now been awarded 25 year land leases and hunting permits in the area. This group has also invaded the Conservancy and instilled itself as the new ‘leaders’.
The takeover has been harshly criticised by Conservancy officials, who have warned that it is a serious threat to the wildlife, conservation and hunting sectors in Zimbabwe. The Conservancy has also said it is a “criminal” move, because the area is meant to be protected from ZANU PF’s land grab. Many international investors in the conservancy are also meant to be protected by trade agreements between their countries and Zimbabwe.
This includes the Conservancy’s Vice Chairman, Wilfried Pabst, who is a German citizen. He has warned that the EU could take retributive action for the invasion of Save.
This warning has been echoed by the EU ambassador in Zimbabwe, Aldo Dell’Ariccia, who was quoted as saying last week that the recently lifted EU restrictive measures could be re-imposed.
“You will recall that the EU suspended the effect of the restrictive measures because of progress achieved by the GNU towards democratising Zimbabwe and respecting bilateral investments, but anytime those measures could be re-imposed if progress is reversed,” Dell’Ariccia told the Standard.
The issue is also making international press headlines with Zimbabwe set to co-host a UN tourism conference next year. Johnny Rodrigues, Chairman of the Conservation Task Force, said the hosting of the conference was the same as legitimising what is happening at Save Conservancy.
“To be recognised by the international community in this way is the same as accepting what is going on. I don’t think it should be allowed,” Rodrigues said.
The hosting of the conference in Victoria Falls has been in doubt amid revelations that Zimbabwe was dishonest in its bid to secure the event. There are now further doubts, after more than a million dollars was reportedly looted from Victoria Falls hospital. The money had been invested in the hospital ahead of the conference next year. But police are now investigating a scam involving the fraudulent purchase of medical equipment.
The state media has labelled the growing media interest in the Save Conservancy story a “Rhodie” plot to undermine black empowerment initiatives in Zimbabwe. But as officials at the Save Conservancy have explained, the issue has nothing to do with genuine empowerment.
The Conservancy has used its Facebook page to try and dispel some of the myths being generated by the state media, chief among them that the landowners have refused to indigenise.
“On the contrary the Save Valley Conservancy welcomes (and always has) business investment irrespective of race, nationality, creed or gender. The Conservancy has a constitution which provides for responsible land and wildlife management. All members and investors are bound to work within the boundaries of the constitution,” the Conservancy wrote on Facebook.
It also moved to dispel the reports that the Conservancy is made up of “the last vestige of white ‘Rhodesians’ in Zimbabwe”.
“The Save Valley Conservancy is made up of International investors, local investors, on the ground investors, government and some local communities…A large part of the Save Valley Conservancy was converted to resettlement area during the land reform process…As things stand right now the Save Valley Conservancy can accurately say and prove that the conservancy is indigenised to the extent of 32%,” the Conservancy said. – SW Radio Africa
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