Highly-placed people, staff in rural district councils and safari operators are involved in poaching, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said. Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri was speaking after receiving from China vehicles, a helicopter, a drone and an assortment of equipment worth $2 million for anti-poaching. The equipment was received at a colourful event at Hwange National Park last Friday.
She said: “As we frantically try to protect our wildlife from organised gangs internally and externally, we are now confronted with increased illegal activity by our own people and organisations that connive to undermine Zimbabwean laws, international laws and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulations.
“We are aware that an increasing number of highly placed people, our rangers, safari operators, professional hunters, land owners, some rural district councils as well as some communities are involved in poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
