- Zimbabwe's Information Minister, Jonathan Moyo, who has
closed down three newspapers and ordered the arrest of more than 75 journalists,
has been accused of seizing a renowned wildlife sanctuary and turning it
into a 'slaughterhouse'.
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- The architect of President Robert Mugabe's state propaganda
machine used armed gangs to take over the Sikumi Tree Lodge in Matabeleland
a year ago, claims owner Thys de Vries, who is challenging the seizure
and others by cabinet ministers and the ruling Zanu-PF party's elite in
court.
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- Conservationists say Moyo has turned the safari area,
which borders the Hwange National Park, over to South African hunters who
are paying to mow down wildlife.
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- Sikumi Tree Lodge used to be a showpiece of eco-tourism,
with picturesque tree houses that overlooked 45,000 acres of forested savannah
and an abundant, well-managed wildlife population. "Now the animals
are being slaughtered there," said de Vries.
-
- The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force said it was alarmed
by reports of uncontrolled hunting at game lodges seized by Mugabe's supporters.
Chairman Johnny Rodrigues has had first-hand accounts of 'killing sprees'
in Matabeleland.
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- "Our informant met some South African hunters. He
was told they were engaged in a massive hunting expedition on a game ranch
now being taken over by settlers. Among the carcasses he saw were lion,
leopard, buffalo, elephant, kudu, sable, impala and even baboon."
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- Moyo did not respond to phone calls from The Observer.
But Morris Mtsambiwa, director-general of the government's Parks and Wildlife
Management Authority, earlier countered the charges of illegal hunting
and said it was not widespread.
-
- "On farms it was a problem up to a year ago, but
new farmers are seeking quotas. We appreciate information on illegal hunting
and will investigate it."
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- Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited
2004
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- http://www.guardian.co.uk/zimbabwe/article/0,2763,1288258,00.html
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