Source: Parks boss suspended | The Herald
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority director-general Mr Edson Chidziya was yesterday suspended to pave way for investigations following anomalies identified in rhino horns stockpiles.
In a statement yesterday, the ZPWMA said Mr Chidziya would be on forced leave for the next 60 days in order for him not to interfere with the probe.
“Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority announces the sending on leave of the authority’s director-general Mr Edson Chidziya. The move has been taken to allow for an audit.
“Mr Chidziya will be on full benefits for the 60 days. Meanwhile, Mr Wilson Mutinhima who is a non-executive board member and chair of the Conservation and Human Resources committee will be in charge,” reads the statement.
Reports say the country has over five tonnes of rhino horns that it cannot sell because of the Convention on International Trade in Endangers Species (CITES) restrictions.
Recently, Mr Chidziya was quoted by our sister paper the Sunday News as saying the country’s ivory stockpile was continuously increasing from many sources such as culling of problem animals and natural deaths.
COMMENTS
“Reports say”. Whose reports? 5 tonnes of rhino horn would conservatively be estimated to be over 1,500 horns. I suppose since they have been accumulated for years and years it could be possible, but I’m not buying an unsubstantiated “report”.
The fact that some may have gone missing should surprise no one, but this non-story fails to address any time frame. Would it have been that tough to mention how often audits are conducted? After the tenure of each DG perhaps, or most likely not at all. The problem itself may be decades old.
This story, especially given its source, has all the hallmarks of the beginning of a ham-fisted move to find a suitable scapegoat.