No blanket amnesty for poachers

WITH the ecological disaster in the vast Hwange National Park still unfolding amid indications that almost 200 elephants could have been lost to poaching since January, reports that villagers from Chief Siphoso’s area in Tsholotsho District have asked government to instruct police to refrain from arresting them so that they give up their heinous deeds are unfathomable.

Despite their shocking acts, the villagers seem to be dangling a carrot — if you refrain from arresting us then we will persuade each other to protect the jumbos.

Sadly, Environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere has yielded to the demands telling the villagers that Home Affairs minister Kembo Mohadi had agreed to grant the amnesty.

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