Published by the government of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: Media Lies About Poaching - Nhema

11 February 2010

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Harare — Zimbabwe has the appropriate policies and legal instruments to conserve its wildlife and natural resources but needs support with resources, a Cabinet minister has said.

In a meeting with Convention of Trade in Endangered Species secretary-general Mr Willen Wijnstekers at his offices yesterday, Environment and Natural Resources Management Minister Francis Nhema said reports about increased poaching in Zimbabwe were false.

He said people opposed to the indigenisation of the commercial wildlife sector were behind the claims.

"The Government of Zimbabwe acknowledges the importance of conservation and is working to make sure it preserves its wildlife.
"The policies are there and there is close co-operation between the agencies of Government. In fact, this is a priority for us.

"There is also a realisation within the judiciary of the need to treat poaching just like any other serious crime. We have a lot of exaggerations in incidences of poaching to a point where these allegations are destroying what they are seeking to protect," he said.

Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri said Cites should realise that Zimbabwe had two faces: that of what is happening on the ground and what is peddled by hostile foreign media.

"We have the real Zimbabwe and the other that is the creation of the media.
"These people are not telling the world what is happening and we will not lose sleep over that.

"We see reports on the Internet, but we know the peddlers of these rumours are doing it for selfish reasons or are selling the information for money."

Comm-Gen Chihuri said international syndicates were behind most poaching and absolved the security services of involvement.

He added: "We cannot be taught how to manage our animals by countries that do not even have a lizard.

"The sanctions have made our operations difficult and what we need is support not lessons."

Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said Zimbabwe would do everything in its power to protect its wildlife.
Earlier in the day, the delegation met Home Affairs co-Ministers Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa.

The two said Zimbabwe was willing to work with the international community to protect its wildlife.

Cites chief law officer Mr John Sellar said they were gathering information on the extent of poaching in Zimbabwe and what assistance could be extended.

He said poaching was rife in other countries and was becoming more sophisticated.

The team also met Zimra Commissioner-General Mr Gershom Pasi.

European Commission head of delegation Mr Xavier Marchal said Zimbabwe was well-known for its wildlife management policies.