The Sunday Mail
Lincoln Towindo
Parliament is set to investigate wildlife conservancies that are suspected of using airstrips to smuggle animal trophies and minerals out of Zimbabwe. In the last two years, only one person has been charged with illegally using Zimbabwe’s airspace. Some 540 private airstrips and 350 privately-owned aircraft are registered, with many of them belonging to miners and safari operators.
Though no concrete evidence has been publicly declared, it is widely suspected that a number of the airstrips are launching aircraft used by smuggling kingpins.
In 2014, a helicopter entered Zimbabwe’s airspace undetected before crashing near West Nicholson, Gwanda.
The wreckage was quickly buried to conceal the accident but investigators discovered it had been used to smuggle ivory and minerals to South Africa.
At the time, reports suggested a second stealth helicopter was brought in to whisk away the crash victims.
Transport and Infrastructure Parliamentary Portfolio Committe Chair Cde Dexter Nduna told The Sunday Mail that investigations will begin with Chiredzi’s Buffalo Range Airport.
The committee’s findings and recommendations will be tabled in the National Assembly for adoption, with the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry determining action to be taken.“We suspect there is a daily occurrence of such crimes at airstrips that are not registered with the Civil Aviation Authority Zimbabwe.
‘‘To curtail this, we are advocating that our civilian radar systems be complemented by the military radar system to detect aircraft using these illegal airstrips,” Cde Nduna said.
“We are on a process of identifying and monitoring these airstrips.
‘‘When we visit Buffalo Range Airport in Chiredzi, we will witness the rehabilitation work done there and also assess activities at private airstrips in the area.
“As one might know, Chiredzi has a lot of wildlife conservancies. We know Caaz is not aware of some airstrips used by looters and wish to play our role in plugging that loophole.”
Safari Operators’ Association of Zimbabwe president, Mr Emmanuel Fundira supported the proposed investigation.
“We cannot stand in the way of the relevant committee as it is in its power to carry out such an investigation, interrogating whether there are any illegal activities taking place within conservancies.
“The suspicion is not something that is recent, for years we have heard of certain operators colluding with less-credible South African operators to facilitate the smuggling of trophies out of Zimbabwe.
“We believe this is one area that needs tightening and strict monitoring. This will quell any suspicion of prejudice to the nation.”
Responding to inquiries by The Sunday Mail, Caaz said, “All civilian operators follow a code of conduct that is stipulated by the Authority as part of their authorisation to operate the aircraft and in general they do abide by those rules.
“There are, however, systems to monitor those requirements to compliance that involves several State agents of each country.”
