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Chiefs want Zanu PF Save invaders kicked out

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LOWVELD — Traditional chiefs here have called for the removal of Zanu PF bigwigs and senior army personnel who continue to defy party leader President Robert Mugabe’s order to keep away from the Save Valley Conservancy.

LOWVELD — Traditional chiefs here have called for the removal of Zanu PF bigwigs and senior army personnel who continue to defy party leader President Robert Mugabe’s order to keep away from the Save Valley Conservancy. REPORT BY TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT

Several Zanu PF stalwarts were granted 25-year leases and hunting quotas in the vast wildlife conservancy by the National Parks and Wildlife Authority before the move was reversed after a public outcry.

Three months ago, Mugabe established a committee to look into the issue, but up until now, the committee does not appear to have made any inroads.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of a partnership agreement between the area’s traditional chiefs and the Save Valley Conservancy owners on Tuesday, the traditional leaders castigated the invasions, saying they were blocking communities from benefiting.

Present at the signing ceremony were Chief Gudo, born Mavivi Kanukai, Chief Nhema (Ranganai Bwawanda), Chief Musikavanhu (Vusani Mutumebvi) and Chief Tsvovani (Felix Mundau).

Three other chiefs sent representatives.

“Those individuals who recently came into conservancies must be evicted immediately before they vandalise infrastructure. We do not want individuals under indigenisation, whether they are from Masvingo or outside because communities will not benefit,” said Chief Nhema.

Chief Tsvovani said most of the “new owners” were not from the area yet surrounding communities had struggled over the years with problems caused by straying animals which destroyed crops and livestock.