THE death of two unarmed suspected poachers along the Zambezi Valley in Marongorain December last year is now haunting the Akashinga antipoaching unit, with several officials being fired as the organisation moves to spruce up its tainted image, NewsDay Weekender has gathered.
On December 21 last year, two suspected poachers, Courage Maodza and Tawanda Mapako were allegedly killed by Zimbabwe National Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Akashinga rangers in Marongora.
They were victims of cold blood murder amid revelations that they were unarmed, according to a survivor, Clever Dhliwayo, of Village 22 in Nyamakate’s ward 7 under Chief Chundu, Hurungwe district.
The suspected poachers had axes,spears and dogs for their errand and killed a buffalo before they were tracked and gunned down.
According to latest developments, Akashinga has dismissed a number of its workers from the anti-poaching unit that operates along the Zambezi Valley near Nyamakate.
Of late, the organisation faced resignations of top senior management while some were fired on flimsy allegations, which prompted the boardof directors from the United States to institute investigations into the whole fiasco.
The investigations were conductedby Scanlen and Holderness Law firm in April.
According to a source, the anti-poaching unit was under pressure to probe mounting challenges affecting its operations.
“There were several outstanding issues that rocked the organisation.
The story carried by NewsDay Weekender about Marongora shooting was tagged on the American embassy website, and it prompted an inquiry into how the organisation was being run,” the source said.
“Several former workers and those still working there were interviewed in April this year concerning issues affecting the organisation.”
Another source revealed that top officials, including the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Damien Mander, have been reassigned.
“I hear that Mander is being replaced as the CEO. His letter to Akashinga staff seems to suggest he is not leaving, but I understand he will not be the CEO with any authoritative powers of management. He has been reassigned to be in charge of fundraising,” the other source said.
“Wayne Cummings, who was the country manager, and Henry Macillwaine had their contracts terminated.
“Macillwaine had several cases of abusing villagers, where he trapped them claiming that they were poachers.
Instead, it has put the organisation’s name into disrepute.”
Macillwaine was Akashinga wildlife crime unit manager, an investigations department.
Other officials whose contracts were terminated include Blessing Chirombe and Moreblessing Khumalo.
“The action against these guys at the top will be a result of the findings of the investigations,” insisted the source.
However, two ladies were also dismissed, though it was not part of investigations.
“The ladies face fraud allegations involving funds from the operations room, loans and petty cash,” a source said.
Source: Newsday_Com
