Beitbridge invasions will backfire badly

THE government’s silence on the ongoing chaos at the Denlynian and Tamari wildlife farms in Beitbridge once again exposes the Zanu PF administration’s double standards and that it is complicit in the destruction of the economy.

THE government’s silence on the ongoing chaos at the Denlynian and Tamari wildlife farms in Beitbridge once again exposes the Zanu PF administration’s double standards and that it is complicit in the destruction of the economy.

Denlynian and Tamari farms were invaded last year by people who claimed to have connections with Zanu PF and are rumoured to have the backing of one of the top ruling party officials from Matabeleland South.

The invaders have been wantonly killing wildlife and in the process destroying one of the major tourist attractions at the border town.

Prior to the madness of farm invasions, conservancies were major foreign currency earners for Zimbabwe.

Provinces such as Matabeleland South heavily relied on cattle ranching and wild life tourism as they were the only viable economic activities outside mining.

Greed, corruption, lawlessness and outright incompetence by the government has destroyed all that.

The government’s policy is that land invasions are a thing of the past and that animal sanctuaries have to be handled with care.

However, this position is not respected in Beitbridge where criminals have been allowed to roam free, poaching wildlife and stealing fencing.

The Ferguson family in charge of the wildlife farms, has been left to fight a lone battle against greedy politicians and their proxies.

During the 12 months since the invasion, 47 kilometres of game fencing, which will cost $500 000 to replace have been lost, the family says.

The safari lodge on the property has been looted and the company’s equipment and assets valued at $150 000 stolen.

According to the family, an ecological survey conducted in 1997, said the land was “not for human habitation and unsuitable for cattle ranching”. Through its silence, it would appear the government condones the lawlessness at the two farms.

Police have also decided to fold their arms and by so doing they have gone on the side of the lawbreakers. The sad reality is that the Zimbabwean economy may never recover from this lawlessness.