via Envoy vents Save sanctuary frustration 01/05/2014 NewZimbabwe
GERMANY’S ambassador to Zimbabwe has expressed frustration over Save Conservancy, a multi-million dollar wildlife sanctuary in which European Union nationals have business interests, but has since been invaded by top Zanu PF officials
Ambassador Ulrich Klockner said the dispute over control of the sanctuary where German investor Wilfried Pabst is vice chairman, was “taking much of my time (which) I would like to spend engaging in positive projects aimed at helping revive the (Zimbabwe’s) ailing economy”.
Germany has strong partnerships with the Bulawayo and Norton local authorities where it is assisting in the rehabilitation of water and energy infrastructure.
The EU member state plans to extend the cooperation to other towns such as Harare and Redcliff in the Midlands after local authorities there recently approached its Harare embassy appealing for assistance.
However, in an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, Ambassador Klockner said, since his arrival in Zimbabwe late last year, he has been spending much of his time convincing compatriots with investments in the country that their assets were safe.
“We should be concentrating on how can we solve the energy problem, how can we get business rather than just travelling around the country trying to calm some citizens who are afraid that they might lose what they worked on for 50 years,” said the envoy.
His remarks come after the government insisted that it would not to reverse its decision to indigenise the wildlife conservancy which was last year invaded by top Zanu PF officials, sparking threats of aid cut by the EU.
The conservancy is a major attraction for tourists and professional hunters, especially from western countries, who pay thousands of dollars for the chance to see – or hunt – the wild animals living there.
Founded in 1991, it is co-owned by groups of foreign and local whites, as well as black Zimbabweans who regulate the hunting and protect endangered wildlife such as elephants, rhinos and buffalo.
Since its establishment, the conservancy has been managed in partnership with Zimbabwe’s state-run Agriculture and Rural Development Authority.
He said apart from economically empowering black Zimbabweans, involving them in the park’s operations would also boost wildlife conservation efforts, as they would have an incentive to protect animals rather than hunt them.
Kasukuwere however, stressed that only those properties owned by white Zimbabweans would be affected by the indigenisation policy, which seeks to grant black Zimbabweans a minimum 51-percent stake in the conservancy.
“Foreign-owned properties will not be affected as they are protected under investment laws, but those [properties] of local whites will be,” he said.
Property held by foreigners is protected from appropriation by the state under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPAs) signed by Zimbabwe and various E.U. governments.
COMMENTS
Ah – so local whites will be discriminated against, but foreign whites are fine. Makes sense. And these people wonder why the country has failed.
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM IS A BLATANT RACIST SOMEONE FROM THE LOCAL CAUCASIANS SHOULD HAVE A WORD WITH THE GERMAN AMBASSADOR OR THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EU
JUST SHOWS HOW THICK THESE TOSS POTS ARE THE LOCAL CAUCASIANS HAVE BEEN BORN IN THE COUNTRY BUT BECAUSE OF BEING SPITEFUL THEY ARE ATTACKING THEM
AND THEY LEAVE THE MACOOLA (INDIANS) SCOTFREE WHEN THESE ARE THE ONES THAT DO NOT EMPLOY ANYONE FROM ANOTHER RACE AND IF THEY DO THEY WILL USE THEM AS CHEAP LABOUR
OK, everyone who is surprised by ZANUPF racist/tribalist actions, raise your hand…..
If only there were impartial justice in the Zim courts, and honest enforcement by the policia, things would quickly be resolved.
The few non-political magistrates are overruled by superiors, and the few honest coppers can not quit, because there are no other jobs to support their families.
Foreigners get better rights than white Zimbabwean citizens? I think there may be an ICC case buried in here. Sorry you have to spend time travelling around the country calming down some citizens who are trying to save what they have worked for – must be interfering with your down-time in the game reserves (what’s left of them).
Can I ask are this foreign whites bringing their on elephants to be hunted here , what is the difference between local whites and foreign whites in that business , let me tell you guys a wetland without frogs is drying up ,so Zimbabwean economy without whites is dead regardless of local or foreign .
After disregarding BIPPAs since 2000 but having seen cooperation dry up ZANU is now honoring them and the effect is citizens, the white locals, are now second class class citizens, open to abuse and expropriation for Shuvai Mahofa’s benefit. She already has a farm(s) taken from another white person. This is not genocide but is certainly a geno-something and quite unfair.
Tickles me that these idiots are still bothered by the few white Zimbos who are left here. Tells you something about their inferior complex!
I have no idea why the German ambassador bothers with these sill aid projects that get ripped off every time they try. I can remember one 20 years ago – reported to be a huge success story. No one from the German embassy had been to see it, only read the reports! Result – nothing there!!!!! Another good government project. The racist country of Zimbabwe deserves no Aid and should get nothing.
Dear Jrr56,
I am contacting you from Germany. As you seem to follow that project do you have any actual information about the owner of Save, official contracts or similar?
I am journalist and actually researching in this topic.
Thank you for your support.
Best
TP
The way the local caucasians are being harrassed can be likened to when the Nazi’s harrassed the jews . and these macoolas even short change their customers they are a crooked lot