Zanu chefs named in poaching racket

Environment Minister Francis Nhema and his mines counterpart Obert Mpofu have been implicated in rhino poaching activities that allegedly involve senior army and parks officials, according to a US diplomatic cable leaked last week.

by Vusimusi Bhebhe
Francis Nhema
Francis Nhema

The cable, leaked by whistleblower website WikiLeaks and allegedly written by US ambassador Charles Ray in December 2009, said Nhema and Mpofu’s names have repeatedly surfaced in rumours about the rhino poaching that has occurred in Zimbabwe during the past decade.

“There are persistent rumours that senior government officials may be involved in poaching and smuggling. Certain names repeatedly resurface in the rumours, including Minister of Environment Frances Nhema, the Chief of Conservation at the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Vitalis Chadenga, Minister of Mines

Obert Mpofu, and senior security officials including the head of the army, Constantine Chiwenga,” the cable said.

In the cable, Ray noted that rhino poaching had worsened in Zimbabwe over the past few years, mainly driven by lax law enforcement and what appears to be a growing Asian demand for rhino horn.