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Our rangers are in danger, says Zimparks

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has bemoaned lack of resources, which it says puts its rangers in harm’s way in their line of duty.

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Tinashe Farawo, Zimparks spokesperson, told VicFallsLive that a number of rangers have recently died or were seriously injured after encounters with dangerous wild animals and poachers.

Farawo spoke as Zimbabwe celebrated Rangers’ Day on Saturday.

Zimparks employs 3 000 rangers at nature reserves across the country.

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“These are the women and men, who spend 21 days per month in the bush looking after our sacred animals and they experience extreme weather conditions,” he said.

‘Like at the Hwange National Park temperatures go as far as 45 degrees Celsius while in Nyanga they drop to go as low as three degrees Celsius as the rangers fight poachers

“They are not only threatened by poachers, but they are also threatened by the same wild animals.

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“Just last week one of our ranger was gored to death by a buffalo while on patrol and only two years ago, two of our officers were killed by poachers who threw them into a dam in Kariba and that’s how they lost their lives.”

Farawo added: “Some of our rangers have also sustained permanent injuries while others have also been disabled after being bitten by Tsetse flies and these are sad examples to us.

“It means that we should be well resourced to save both the wildlife and our frontliners.”

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World Rangers day is observed every year on July 31 to celebrate rangers who get killed or injured while on duty.

The day is also set aside to celebrate the work that rangers do to protect the world’s natural and cultural heritage.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the day offers a chance for people to support the work of rangers, which ranges from environmental campaigns to education.

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A 2019 global survey of the working conditions of rangers by WWF highlighted that, on average, rangers in Asia and Africa worked 70-90 hours every week while more than half of them bought their own boots and uniforms.

The report said in a 12-month period, just 26 percent of rangers in Africa and 11 perceived in Asia received vital emergency first aid training that could save their own or their colleagues’ lives.

“Despite their dangerous jobs, rangers often don’t have access to effective life and health insurance schemes,” the report says.

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“What’s more, fewer than 50 percent had access to an employee insurance scheme that provided compensation for serious injury at work, or a job-related fatality.

“With many rangers being the main provider for their families, and often coming face-to-face with armed poaching gangs, the statistic is shocking.”

Emma Pereira, communications manager at Save the Rhino conservation organisation said Covid-19 has complicated the situation even more.

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“With the almost overnight shutdown of international tourism, funds that might have provided more sophisticated security systems or advanced training to support rangers’ work disappeared,” Pereira said.

“Over the past year or more, wildlife reserves have been scrambling to find enough funding for basic costs like paying salaries, putting fuel in vehicles and buying PPE.”

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Police Hunt For A Nkayi Murder Fugitive

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

A Nkayi man is reportedly on the run after allegedly assaulting a fellow villager with an unknown object on the head on New Year’s Day. 

Police have identified the fugitive at Joinisa Tshuma from Dabe village who is being sought for a murder charge. 

“ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Joinisa Tshuma who is being sought in connection with a case of murder in which Mcebisi Moyo died on 07/01/24,” police appealed. 

“The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim on the head with an unknown object near a bush in Dabe Village, Nkayi on 01/01/24 before he fled the scene.”

According to police, the victim sustained some head injuries and he was admitted at Nkayi District Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

Meanwhile, Police in Machipisa are also  investigating a case of murder which occurred on Wednesday, in which a yet to be identified male adult approximately aged 30 years who was wearing a yellow t-shirt, black trousers, black gum boots and a black cap, was found lying dead with a stab wound on the back near Mapuranga Transport Service Garage in Harare. 

Police are also appealing to the public with information surrounding the incident. 

“Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station.” 

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Full ZRP Statement on Armed Robberies Raiding Elite Schools 

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As the schools open, parents and guardians are in the process of paying school fees, levies and other related school costs, for their children.

School authorities are therefore urged to deposit all monies at financial institutions to curb armed robbery cases.

The issue of collecting cash by school authorities at schools should be reconsidered given the recent armed robbery cases.

The Police has recorded armed robbery cases in Bulawayo and Chinhoyi in which schools are being targeted.

In one of the cases, unknown suspects pounced at George Silundika High School at corner George Silundika Street and Third Avenue, Bulawayo on 06th January 2024, where they stole US$17 280.00 cash which was in a cash box.

In another case which occurred at Lomagundi College, Chinhoyi on 09th January 2024, 12 unknown suspects attacked security guards before stealing an undisclosed amount of cash, a Mazda Tribute motor vehicle, cellphones and laptops, among other valuables.

School authorities are urged to step up security measures at schools and employ guards from reputable security service providers who constantly monitor and review deployments.

Above all, school authorities should install CCTV at points of entry and administration offices.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned that some of these robbery cases are resulting from leakage of information.

Members of the public are warned that those who provide inside information to robbery syndicates will be arrested.

Police crack teams are firm on the ground and will pounce on armed robbery syndicates for the law to take its course in earnest.

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ARTUZ condemns government for opening of school amid Cholera outbreak

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has condemned the government’s decision to reopen schools due to the cholera outbreak wreaking havoc in most parts of the country, labeling the move reckless and disregarding the pressing concerns raised by parents and teachers. 

Statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care last week showed since the outbreak of cholera, Zimbabwe has recorded 15 137 suspected cholera cases, 1 759 confirmed cases, 14 578 recoveries, 67 confirmed deaths and 266 suspected deaths.

“We vehemently condemn the government’s reckless decision to open schools amidst the widespread cholera outbreak, completely disregarding the pressing concerns raised by parents and teachers,” reads the statement.

“We demand that the government immediately mobilize substantial resources to ensure the safe reopening of schools because our children deserve nothing less than a secure and conducive learning environment. 

“It is the duty of the government to provide sanitary solutions and ensure the safety and well-being of our children.

The union also called on the government to consider an upward increment of teachers’ salaries, criticizing the government’s lack of engagement with educators, particularly regarding their ongoing demand for a US$1 260 salary.

“Also, it is utterly disappointing to witness such a hasty move without even bothering to engage with the educators who have been tirelessly advocating for a just salary of US$1260.

“The safety and welfare of our students and teachers should be the utmost priority, but it seems that the government is callously neglecting this responsibility.

“It is high time for the government to prioritize the well-being of our education system and take meaningful action to address the urgent needs of our dedicated teachers. ” 

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