HWANGE — First Lady Grace Mugabe has said poaching has become a complex problem which presented a serious national security threat.
PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI SENIOR REPORTER
Mugabe said this on Tuesday during commemorations to mark the killing of 106 elephants at Hwange National Park.
“Poachers are also becoming more violent and are part of organised criminal networks. The growing and increased complexity of wildlife poaching not only affects our national economies, but poses serious threats to the security of our country. We therefore need to remain vigilant,” she said.
The First Lady said the government was committed to stamping out poaching as the country was part of Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA), whose purpose was to promote and facilitate natural resources conservation and eco-tourism.
“As we gather here today we would want to reflect on the tragic events of 2013 when through poisoning we sadly lost over 100 elephants. Let me also hasten to underscore government’s commitment in the conservation of not only elephants, but all wildlife resources in Zimbabwe,” she said.
Mugabe said Zimbabwe as the current co-ordinating partner for the KAZA-TFCA, the country was working with Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia to implement wildlife conservation initiatives.
She said the collaboration was important because the region had the largest elephant population which was also critical because of the need to ensure biodiversity conservation and social-economic tourism development.
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Environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere said Zimbabwe lost a key resource because of the poisoning of elephants.
“We witnessed callous destruction of our resources when 106 elephants were lost through poisoning. This was a major setback for our conservation efforts in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Kasukuwere commended the security and defence services for arresting some of the culprits who have since been jailed.
Kasukuwere said the First Lady had been invited to become the patron of the Zimbabwe Wildlife Trust because of the recognition that wildlife preservation challenges required her “motherly touch” and “leadership at the highest level”.
The commemorations were also attended by Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo, Information minister Jonathan Moyo and his deputy Supa Mandiwanzira, Women Affairs minister Oppah Muchinguri, Agriculture minister Joseph Made, Senate President Edna Madzongwe, businessmen Philip Chiyangwa, Leo Mugabe and Patrick Zhuwao, among others.
