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World Pangolin Day: What conservationists had to say

Published

2 years ago

February 18, 2023

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Environmental organisations have called on continuous education about the importance of conserving pangolins as they continue to be classified under of the most endangered species.

Various organisations across the country took to their social media platforms to celebrate the globally recognised day to celebrate their successes in a bid to rescue, rehabilitate, and rewild orphaned and injured animals in the country including the pangolins.

World Pangolin Day is celebrated on the third of every Saturday in February.

Below is what selected organisations had to say:

Wild is Life Trust and Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery

“It is critical that we take the plight of these very important animals seriously as all eight species of pangolins are now threatened with extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).”

Bhejane Trust

“Celebrating World Pangolin Day… Today we raise awareness of the most highly trafficked wildlife species on the continent – the African Pangolin.

“Thank you to all conservationists, protectors, supporters and donors with your assistance in helping us protect our pangolins.

These pangolins were photographed being handed over to the authorities by community members who found them in the rural areas and are being released back into the wild National Parks. ”

Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust

“As we celebrate these critically endangered mammals, many of whom we have cared for, we can’t forget the one special case that came to the Trust back in 2017 (https://bit.ly/3Keh6rR) which later became known as “Moyo.

“We are grateful to have been able to have played a role in the rescue of this creature and that the beautiful, scaly, ant-eating animal was later released within a secure protected area.

Let’s share some amazing fun facts about pangolins as we celebrate them!

Did you know?

1. Pangolin scales have no magic properties.

2. A single pangolin can consume about 70 million ants per year

3. Pangolins have no teeth.

4. They are the most trafficked non-human mammals in the world.

5. They have no external ears yet they can hear very well.

6. Their scales make up about 20% of their weight and are made of keratin.

7. Pangolin tongue can reach up to 41 centimeters.

Hwange

Hwange residents petition parliament over coal mining health risks

Published

15 hours ago

December 11, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Greater Whange Residents Trust has presented a petition to the Parliament of Zimbabwe, drawing attention to the health risks associated with coal mining in Hwange.

The trust, which advocates for the welfare and interests of people in Hwange, highlights the need for urgent action to protect residents from the harmful effects of coal dust pollution.

According to the trust, the Pneumonoconiosis Act (Chapter 15:08), which was enacted to protect workers in dusty occupations, does not provide adequate protection for ordinary residents who are also affected by coal dust pollution.

The trust argues that the Act is “exclusionary” and was not designed to benefit ordinary residents, who are not eligible for regular medical checks to determine the impact of coal dust on their health.

Below is the full petition that was submitted to Parliament:

DRAW the attention of the House to the following:

1. The Constitution mandates the Parliament of Zimbabwe to make laws, carry out executive oversight and discharge a representative role, as well as protect the Constitution and democratic governance in Zimbabwe.

2. Section 117(2) of the Constitution, inter alia, mandates Parliament to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Zimbabwe.

3. Section 8 of the Constitution sets out the objectives to guide all institutions and agencies of the State in the formulation and implementation of policies that will lead to the establishment, enhancement and promotion of a sustainable, just, free and democratic society in which people enjoy prosperous, happy and fulfilling lives.

4. Greater Whange Residents Trust is a Hwange-basedTrust which advocates for the welfare and interests of people in Hwange.

5. The town of Hwange is home to over 50 000 residents. These include men, women and children that are not employed as miners.

6. Coal mining is a key industry in that town and impacts on both the residents and the environment of Hwange town and beyond. Hwange is also surrounded by land which falls under the National Parks.

7. The Pneumonoconiosis Act (Chapter 15:08) came into operation on 1 August 1971. The Act remains in force. The long title of the Act gives as its objects the following: An Act to provide for the control and administration of persons employed in dusty occupations; and to provide for matters incidental to or connected with the foregoing. (emphasis added).

8. The Act was designed to respond to health issues affecting those employed in dusty occupations. Naturally,it is ill-equipped to respond to issues of stakeholders beyond this categorisation as stated by the lawmaker.

9. Mining in Hwange consists of both open cast and underground mining operations. Coal mining creates dust and dusty conditions that affect not just those employed by the coal mines. It affects communities that live on and around the mines.

10. Section 56 of the Constitution provides that all persons are equal before the law and have a right to equal protection and benefit of the law.

11. Your petitioners submit that ordinary residents of Hwange that are not employed in the coal mines are not benefiting from the provisions of the Act as currently framed. For instance, those directly employed in coal mines are eligible for regular medical checks under the Act to determine the impact of coal dust on their health, particularly the heart and kidneys. Ordinary residents are not beneficiaries of such tests. The Act was not designed for their benefit. It was exclusionary from the start.

12. Residents that are not employees of coal mines are therefore susceptible to health risks associated with coal mining, without the protection of the law. With the increase in coal and related mining activities, the number of persons that are not subject to the protection of the law thanks to the crafting of the Act has also increased. It is desirable that the Act be reviewed to embrace the protection of all persons that stay or live in environments that are subjected to coal mining dust. It may also be worthwhile for Parliament to consider how the Act could enjoin coal miners to contribute towards the reduction of coal dust, to enhance the health of residents.

13. Your petitioners are aware that section 73 of the Constitution guarantees their right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being, and to have their environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations. In this regard, the State must ensure the progressive realisation of this right by residents of Hwange.

WHEREFORE your petitioners humbly pray as follows:

That the Parliament of Zimbabwe to exercises its constitutional mandate to

1. Inquire into the nature and extent of the threat posed to residents due to the dust pollution;

2. Review the fairness of the Pneumonoconiosis Act [Chapter 15:08] to non-employees of the coal mining industry that reside in coal mining areas; and

3. Make recommendations on the review of the Act given the current situation in coal mining areas.

Hwange

Hwange tipper truck tragedy: MP calls for ministerial intervention

Published

16 hours ago

December 11, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A fatal accident occurred near the GVZ entertainment facility, a few kilometers outside Hwange town, on Friday last week.

A Chinese company’s tipper truck carrying workers overturned unexpectedly, resulting in the loss of several lives.

According to a statement issued by the Office of the MP for Hwange Central constituency, Daniel Molokele, “at least three people died immediately after the accident… There have been more reports claiming that the death toll has increased since the fatal accident.”

The statement further notes that “there are some rumors that claim that the death toll has now reached over ten people.” The Chinese company that owns the truck has avoided sharing any information with the public about the tragic accident.

As the Office of the MP for Hwange Central constituency, “we are still trying our best to carry out our own separate investigations,” the statement reads. “However, we are also aware that it is actually the responsibility of the government to carry out any further investigations.”

The MP is calling upon the government, especially the Ministry of Mines, to initiate a formal inquiry into the tragic accident and issue a public report as soon as possible.

“We therefore call upon the government, especially the Ministry of Mines, to initiate a formal inquiry into this tragic accident and issue a public report as soon as possible,” the statement reads.

The MP also expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

“We also take this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to all the families who may have lost their beloved ones. Further, we wish all the workers who may have gotten injured a speedy recovery,” the statement concludes.

National

Victoria Falls residents fight back against minister’s decision to nullify town clerk’s suspension

Published

16 hours ago

December 11, 2024

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Residents of Victoria Falls have come out guns blazing against Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe’s decision to nullify the suspension of Town Clerk Ronnie Dube.

The controversy began when the City of Victoria Falls council suspended Dube over allegations of corruption.

However, Minister Garwe intervened, citing that the council’s resolution contravenes Section 139 (4) of the Urban Councils Act.

In response, the residents associations, through their lawyers Dube, Mguni and Dube Legal Practitioners, penned a scathing letter to Minister Garwe, demanding that he withdraws his directive.

The letter, signed by lawyers Dube, Mguni and Dube, reads:

“We have been approached by the Hwange District Residents Association (HWADRA) and Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (VIFACORA) with respect to the contents of this letter.

Our clients are concerned that the contents of the Honourable Minister’s letter purport to represent the interest of the inhabitants of the City of Victoria Falls, whom he has not consulted.

The Honourable Minister may need to know that on the 8th of December 2024, a joint meeting of above named residents associations have resolved to support the resolution of their agents and representatives in council.

There is therefore no doubt that the town clerk’s suspension is supported by the inhabitants of the City of Victoria Falls.

The Honourable Minister is advised that the suspension of the town clerk complies with Section 139 (4) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 20:15] regarding the inquiry into the allegations of the suspended town clerk.

There is only one inquiry committee before which the suspended town clerk is expected to go and make his representations when invited to do so.

Procedurally, if the town clerk is found to have a case to answer, he will appear before a disciplinary committee, which is yet to be constituted.

The residents are aware that the resolution has recommendations for possible experts to be approached to form the disciplinary committee, should that become necessary.

It stands to reason that the investigative inquiry committee cannot sit and be judges over their own report.

This cannot render the resolution of council to be unlawful as to warrant a ministerial directive to rescind it.

The feeling of the residents is that the costs of a disciplinary process cannot be avoided if government is serious about combating corruption in all its forms.

The resolution is clear that the town clerk was suspended without salary and benefits.

The decision to pay the suspended town clerk allowances is supported by section 139 (5) (b) of the Urban Councils Act [Chapter 20:15]. It is statutorily provided.

There is no contradiction in the resolution.

There is, with respect, no legal basis for councillors to rescind a lawful resolution meant to combat corruption in local authorities.

The Honourable Minister’s directive has adverse effects on fighting corruption.

The directive is meant to lift the town clerk’s suspension without him answering to the allegations against him.

It is not government policy that those accused of corruption can be let off the hook without being investigated or brought to book.

The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, DR E.D Mnangagwa is on record saying corruption is working against the attainment of national development goals and is inimical to public interests.

Our clients’ considered view is that the Honourable Minister will be best informed about the interests of the inhabitants of Victoria Falls if he visits and consults the taxpayers of council.

Meanwhile, our clients who are a representative body of the inhabitants of the council area are in support of the town clerk’s suspension and are monitoring the inquiry into the town clerk’s allegations.

Accordingly, we have been instructed to demand that the Honourable Minister, immediately withdraws his letter dated 6th December 2024 to the Mayor of Victoria Falls and make arrangements for a public consultation with the inhabitants of the council area, failing which the Honourable Minister and the City of Victoria Falls (as represented by the Mayor) will be taken to the High Court of Zimbabwe for appropriate relief.

We trust this is in order.

Yours faithfully,

DUBE, MGUNI & DUBE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

CC: His Worship the Mayor of Victoria Falls, Clr P.T Moyo