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Hwange conservationists tackle poaching through sport

Published

3 years ago

November 24, 2022

BY TICHAONA MATARUSE

Wildlife conservation organisations, Wild and Free Foundation (WWT) and Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) have partnered to sponsor a social soccer tournament aimed at protecting wildlife through sport and economic opportunities to reduce wildlife crimes.

Rhino Cup Championship League RCCL-Zim Iganyana Division features both senior and junior teams and its goal is to empower and uplift young people, creating an environment where endangered species like painted dogs and other wildlife can thrive.

The RCCL Zimbabwe – Iganyana Division supports 20 male and four female community-based teams from communities adjacent to Hwange National Park, directly impacting wildlife and people welfare in the area.

Teams are drawn from communities adjacent to the Hwange National Park such as Chezhou, Dete, Dingani, Mabale and Makwandara among others.

They have been christened with wildlife names as a sign of appreciation of the importance of wildlife and conservation.

The juniors’ league was introduced in August and teams include Sables Jnrs, Eagle Jnrs, Shumba stars Jnrs, Sparrows, Honey Badgers, Rock Rabbits, Young Sables Academy, Zebras and Wild Warthogs.

Zebras from Chezhou were crowned 2022 after outclassing Mpalanyana 5-1 in the final match to finish the season with 93 points from 38 matches.

In the juniors league, Shumba and Young Stables Academy are favourites to win the title as both are tied on 16 points.

The league ends this weekend.

Zim Iganyana Division chief executive Ndodana Masuku implored clubs to invest in junior policy to nurture talent.

“We have 20 teams in the senior category and our wish is for each team to have juniors within its structures. Every organisation should have a foundation and in this case juniors are a foundation of the club,” Masuku told VicFallsLive

The league has attracted the attention of the private sector with Sports Zone Pvt Ltd, a Bulawayo based organisation sponsoring the juniors’ league with prizes for the monthly top goal-scorer, goalkeeper of the month award and junior coach of the month accolades.

“We have awards for top goal scorer and goalkeeper of the year courtesy of Sports Zone. Also there are medals and cups for the championship. ” said Masuku.

Meanwhile, Masuku urged communities to play a part in wildlife conservation and serve endangered species.

His sentiments come in the wake of concerns about an increase in illegal hunting in communities near Hwange National Park.

“Together we can give poaching a red card and create an environment where the rhinos, painted dogs and the rest of the wildlife can thrive.

“To the clubs and our communities, I urge you to reciprocate our wildlife sponsored league by doing more conservation activities within your communities to serve our wildlife especially the endangered species,” said Masuku.

RCCL also has presence in Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania with positive results such as reduced rhino poaching, boredom, idleness, and poverty.

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Zimparks launches elephant culling program

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a bid to address the growing elephant population in Save Valley Conservancy, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued permits for a controlled elephant management exercise.

The exercise, slated to commence shortly, aims to cull an initial 50 elephants from the conservancy, which is currently home to 2,550 elephants – more than three times the ecological carrying capacity of 800 elephants.

According to ZimParks, the conservancy has been struggling to cope with the swelling elephant population, which has put a strain on the wildlife habitat and resources. Over the past five years, the conservancy has translocated 200 elephants to other areas, including Hurungwe and Sapi, in an effort to manage the population.

Zimparks says the controlled culling exercise is expected to provide relief to the conservancy’s ecosystem, while also benefiting local communities.

Elephant meat from the exercise will be distributed to local communities while the ivory will be kept by the State.

In a statement, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo emphasized the authority’s commitment to responsible and sustainable wildlife management.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our wildlife resources are managed in a responsible and sustainable manner, for the benefit of present and future generations.”

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

3 weeks ago

May 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.