Mugabe is biggest poacher says ZCTF

Government has been exporting baby elephants, mostly to China, claiming that this would help generate revenue for the country – but it is not clear that the money ever actually gets to the treasury.

Johnny Rodrigues, ZCTF chairman, said Mugabe and his wife, Grace, were among the worst offenders in the scam involving the abuse and ill-treatment of wildlife.

Reports indicate that Zanu (PF) supporters will be fed on game meat during Mugabe’s 91st birthday celebrations in Victoria Falls, one of the areas hardest hit by poaching.

“Many wild animals will be killed to celebrate Mugabe’s birthday. That is a scandal! The president is the biggest poacher, alongside his wife,” said Rodrigues. He accused Grace of arm twisting the parks and wildlife department to build a fence at her Mashonaland Central wildlife farm where she intends to accommodate hundreds of wild animals.

“She is not buying a single animal. All those animals that will be put on her game reserves will come from National Parks yet she is going to make a killing out of the business of keeping the wildlife,” he added. Grace has evicted hundreds of families from Panzou farm in the province to make way for the game sanctuary. Rodrigues said government would soon export more baby elephants despite their petition that has been signed by about 1.5 million people.

Twenty seven elephants are destined for Thailand in the coming days – part of an order for 100. Nine will be going to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 80 more will follow, said Rodrigues, while China will receive hundreds others.

Government officials say one elephant fetches between $40,000 and $60,000, but the figures are suspected to be higher.

Rodrigues said the ruling elite that includes politicians and securocrats benefited most from the sale of wildlife while local communities do not get anything.

“Talk to the traditional leaders and they will tell you that they have hardly received anything in royalties from wildlife for a long, long time. This is what makes the whole thing scandalous. Worse still, our government doesn’t believe in the conservation of wildlife,” he said.