The EU, one of Zimbabwe's biggest donors has suspended
funding of a US$14 million conservancy project in Save Valley in Chiredzi
because thousands of Zanu PF supporters illegally settled in the area are
resisting eviction.
The EU project is meant to erect a fence around Save Valley
Conservancy which is famed for the second largest black rhino population in
Africa. The project is not only important for Zimbabwe's wildlife and tourism
industry but is aimed at reducing people-wildlife conflicts that are a
perennial problem in Chiredzi and parts of Bikita.
The Conservancies were invaded by landless Zimbabweans at
the height of land invasions in 2002.
Both Chiredzi District Administrator (DA) Lovemore Chisema
and Joseph Shoko, the chief environment officer in the Ministry of Environment
confirmed the move by EU. They said they received directives to stop any
further programs on the project.
"We received a directive from EU to stop any further
programs regarding implementation of a project in Save Valley funded by EU. We
have not been furnished with reasons," said Chisema.
Apart from erecting the fence, the Fund is meant to build
schools, sink boreholes and build dams for people in the area.
Newly elected Zanu PF MP for Chiredzi North, Roy Bhila
buttressed the fear when he vowed that he would not allow the 10 000 families
settled in the conservancy to be moved
because they voted for him. Chiredzi North is one of the constituencies
where Zanu PF performed exceptionally well garnering 36 00 votes against MDC
Alliance's 3 000.
"During my tenure in office, I will not in any way
allow the relocation of people from Save Valley. Wildlife is not more important
than people. I am their representative and they told me that they don't want to
move," said Bhila in an interview with The Mirror.
Chisema said EU told him to stop any program to do with the
implementation of the project carried out by Food and Agriculture Organisation
(FAO). In addition to erecting the fence, part of the funds were going to be
used to establish infrastructure in the conservancy.
Chisema said that he was now waiting for communication from
Government on how to proceed.
It is also believed that EU suspended the funding over
Government's questionable respect for Bilateral Investment Promotion and
Protection Agreements (BIPPA).
"They stopped the programme indefinitely, they didn't
tell us but it might be due to elections. We are hopeful that we will continue
since the implementing partners, FAO were on the ground and their roadmap will
be presented to Cabinet," said Shoko. Masvingo Mirror
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