THE controversy surrounding the setting up of Santonga Historical and Recreational Park in Victoria Falls deepened yesterday with the local authority saying it never approved the project.
By Ruth Ngwenya
In a statement yesterday, the Victoria Falls Municipality said it only received a concept paper about the proposed park from Africa Albida Tourism (AAT), but never signed any formal agreement with the tourism firm.
AAT recently said it had budgeted $18 million for the project to be set up adjacent to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.
“The municipality did receive the Santonga project concept paper as a development project proposal from Africa Albida Tourism Group. The proposal is going through the due processes within council and, like any other investment project, it will be assessed and a resolution passed based on its merits and demerits,” reads part of the statement.
“No formal agreement has been entered into between the municipality and Africa Albida Tourism concerning the project.”
“Environmental impact assessment will be conducted and recommendations made to the relevant authorities to aid decision-making.” The project has generated a lot of controversy with some stakeholders describing it as a zoo.
Some players in the tourism industry feel that the project was designed to capture wildlife and embark on pen breeding for the lodge to be able to cater for its daily menu, which includes game meat, especially warthogs.
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Residents have raised concerns on the project saying the proposed site was an animal corridor and once that area was closed, human-wildlife conflict would increase as animals would be forced to use routes that pass through residential areas.
The Santonga project is expected to draw 120 000 visitors annually and increase hotel occupancy rate by 40%. It is expected to create 1 500 direct and indirect jobs.
Meanwhile, Tourism minister Walter Mzembi recently said he supported the proposed project.
