via Save Valley Conservancy saga: Mzembi has the last laugh – The Standard May 18, 2014
A directive by the Zanu PF politburo for Masvingo Zanu PF heavyweights and army generals to get out of money-spinning conservancies in the Lowveld has boosted Tourism and Hospitality minister Walter Mzembi’s efforts to promote Zimbabwe as an attractive tourist destination.
Mzembi has over the past months opposed the parcelling out of the conservancies to the Zanu PF officials, earning the wrath of his comrades who were eyeing the lucrative safari business in the Save Valley conservancy.
Recently Mzembi’s stance attracted fierce criticism from Environment, Water and Climate minister Saviour Kasukuwere who said he was being “childish” by opposing the allocation of the conservancies to party officials.
The tourism minister, who favours a broad based approach which would not result in chaos in the conservancies which would scare away tourists, was also attacked in a state newspaper that labelled him “counter revolutionary”.
Mzembi, who is the UNTWO commission for Africa chairman, is pushing for zero tolerance to poaching in Zimbabwe. The minister has stepped up efforts to project Zimbabwe’s image abroad after over 100 elephants were poisoned with cyanide in Hwange late last year. The killings outraged conservationists and animal lovers across the world.
The announcement by the politburo on Monday that top army officials and politicians should move out of the conservancy will lift the spirits of wildlife stakeholders who were worried about the possible decimation of the animal sanctuaries in the Lowveld, The Standard was told.
Properties under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (Bippas) will also spared. These include Sango, Sabi, Chishakwe, Masapasi, Makore, Gunundwe and Chamurwe ranches.
Mzembi, who recently led a delegation to China for the World Travel and Tourism Council meeting (WTTC) could not be reached for comment, where he met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
COMMENTS
Too early to say.In Zanu you should know how to play the game.Mzembi is nothing. One trip to a China and you will be singing from a different gym.
You are right ambassoder .this kasukuwere chap always gets his way,no matter how pigheaded the idea.look at his indigenisation saga,diamond saga,loans saga etc .untouchable.so do watch out mzembi
THESE GUYS! WHY DID THEY GET INTO THE CONSERVANCIES IN THE FIRST PLACE? THE SAME EVIL SPIRIT OF KLEPTOMANIA AND GRABBING. WHY DO ELDERS BEHAVE LIKE HUNGRY YOUNG KINDERGATTEN KIDS WHEN THEY ALREADY HAVE TOO MUCH. ROBBING THE POOR.
THE MOVE TO GET THOSE GUYS OUT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING UNLESS IT IS CONSISTENT OR SOMETHING WITH LONGEVITY. BUT WITH THEIR CLAIMED KNOWLEDGE OF GUERILLA TACTICS YOU CANT TRUST THESE GUYS. ALL THESE NEW POLICY CHANGES MAY BE PERCEIVED AS MERE TACTICS TO GRAB AGAIN…..THE CROCODILE HERI SADZA TACTIC. THE PROBLEM OF THE GOVT IS TRUST IN THE LONG TERM. EVEN IF THEY CHANGE POLICY NOONE WILL TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY FOR A LONG TIME WHILE THE ECONOMY WOULD BE ON FREE FALL. NOW THEY (THE BLIND MEN) ARE TRYING TO MEND THE ECONOMY SOLO. I THINK ZIMBOS MUST HAVE A LIMIT TO THEIR PATIENCE. THESE GUYS HAVE MUCH TO HIDE AND DO NOT WANT KEY RIGHTFUL STAKEHOLDERS SUCH AS CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY AND CIVIL SOCIETY INVOLVED. THIS BRAVADO IS WASTING TIME…AND ITS NOT FUNNY. THEY DO IT SECRETLY TO CARVE JUICY NICHES FOR THEMSELVES FIRST BEFORE OPENING UP. SADLY IT WONT WORK FOR THE SAME REASONS WE ARE IN TROUBLE NOW. WHY DO SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN?
Save will go the same way as every other project that Zanu/government has become involved with. Anything done successfully they will take/ rob and then destroy.
What damage has already been done is the big question??
do you trust them, lets see them removed first….keep us informed…
The Save Conservance was the last bastion of former Rhodies in Masvingo province. Never mind the infighting, at the end of the day its the white Rhodies who has the last laugh. It is the divide and rule philosophy that has succeeded.
Idiot