BY STAFF REPORTER 

The Zimbabwean government’s plan to cull elephants to feed starving communities has been met with fierce opposition from conservationists.

Farai Maguwu, director of the Centre for Natural Resources Governance, has spoken out against the move, calling it a “lame excuse” to justify the killing of elephants.

“This is not a solution to the drought problem,” Maguwu said. “There are many other avenues the government can explore to address food insecurity without resorting to killing elephants.”

Maguwu argued that the government’s reasoning – that Zimbabwe’s elephant population has exceeded the recommended eco-system balance – is a flawed argument. “This is not a new issue,” he said. “The government has always wanted to cull elephants since the 1990s, and now they are using the drought as an excuse.”

He also raised concerns about the international implications of such a move. “Elephants are protected by international conventions like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora),” he said. “You can’t just wake up and decide to slaughter them.”

Maguwu accused the government of prioritizing profits over conservation. “Once they start legitimizing the killing of animals, it will be a slippery slope,” he said. “Soon we won’t have any elephants left. And let’s not forget, minerals are being plundered in Zimbabwe, and once they start selling elephant ivory, it will be like blood diamonds all over again. The tourism industry will also suffer greatly.”

“The government is not thinking about the long-term consequences of their actions,” Maguwu said. “They are only thinking about short-term gains. Let the elephants live. They are more profitable to Zimbabwe alive than dead.”

The government’s plan has sparked debate, with some arguing that it is a necessary measure to address food insecurity, while others, like Maguwu, see it as a threat to conservation efforts.

As the government moves forward with the culling process, many are watching with bated breath to see the impact it will have on Zimbabwe’s elephant population and the communities affected by the drought.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

As the country grapples with the devastating effects of climate change, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for urgent action to build resilience and drive economic transformation.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) 2024 in Victoria Falls, Mnangagwa emphasized the need for homegrown solutions to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate.

“The infusing of aspects around in this year’s conference theme is appropriate given that this phenomenon is a major challenge of our time,” he said.

“Climate change and natural disasters are exerting major risks that adaptation and mitigation programs protecting the economies and the citizens from chaos of today and tomorrow

It is therefore our collective responsibility to promote homegrown solutions for mitigation and adaptation in order to foster concesus and includivity.”

Zimbabwe has been plagued by floods, including the devastating Cyclone Idai, and is currently reeling from the El Nino effect, which has left over seven million people facing dire food shortages.

The country’s economy is on the brink, and the need for action has never been more pressing, Mnangagwa says.

George Guvamatanga, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Investment Promotion, echoed the President’s sentiments, highlighting the need for adaptation and mitigation measures to cope with the impacts of climate change.

“We must tap into international green finance packages, utilize water bodies for irrigation, and invest in water harvesting to ensure food security,” he urged.

Households were also encouraged to invest in water harvesting that can be channeled towards agriculture and other household and economic activities while government was challenged to increase support towards social protection programs which involves resource allocation towards sovereign insurance and incentivize farmers to invest in individual insurance to guard against the impacts of climate change.

Speakers also urged government to give agricultural inputs tailored made with ecological zones and maize to be planted in the appropriate regions which receives adequate rainfall above 500 milliliters per year.

As the conference continues, discussions will focus on climate change and micro-economic issues, public expenditure policies, and private sector initiatives to support development under climate change.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A 31-year-old man from Victoria Falls appeared in court on Monday facing two counts of rape against his 15-year-old daughter.

Elton Zibusiso Nyathi, was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to September 30 at the Hwange Regional Court.

According to court records, Nyathi allegedly raped his daughter on two separate occasions. The first incident occurred on September 4, at around midnight, when Nyathi entered his daughter’s bedroom and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her without her consent and threatened to kill her if she reveals the matter to anyone.

The second incident occurred on September 9, at around 3 pm, when Nyathi dragged his daughter to his bedroom and again forcibly had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

“Accused person who is the complainant’s father arrived at home and asked the complainant to cook potato chips for him,” the state records reads.

“The complainant then went to the kitchen to prepare the potato chips, the accused person then followed the complainant in the kitchen, grabbed the complainant’s hand and dragged her to his bedroom and locked the door. Whilst in the bedroom the accused person pushed the complainant to the floor and she fell down and he raped her.”

The court records indicate that Nyathi has a known record of previous convictions and has pending cases at court, including unlawful entry into premises.

The prosecution argued that Nyathi is likely to interfere with evidence and witnesses, given his relationship with the complainant, and is also likely to commit other offences. Additionally, the prosecution argued that Nyathi is likely to abscond due to the seriousness of the offence and the potential lengthy sentence he may face if convicted.

The magistrate, Gift Manyika, remanded Nyathi in custody, citing the seriousness of the offence and the need to protect the complainant and the community.