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Leloma African elected Nyangambe safari operator

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Leloma African elected Nyangambe safari operator

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Nestar Bukuta

Chiredzi- Leloma African Hunting Safaris has won the Nyangambe Community Wildlife project hunting quota rights, and will undertake hunting activities with professional hunters from across the globe in Save Valley Conservancy.

The Hunting Safaris is a family-owned business with more than 30 000 hectares of nature reserves in Save Valley Conservancy dedicated to hunting and conservation of the African Fauna and Flora.

The hunting quota was previously held by Swedish based Green Safaris’ Director Thomas Kelson who was ejected by the community.  

Nyangambe Communal area in Ward 23 in Chiredzi North Constituency which consists of 181 households is a planned resettlement scheme established in 1983 under the historic Land Reform Program to benefit the community through Social Corporate Responsibility (SCR)and after the wildlife has been sold is supposed to invest back to the community.

Leloma African Hunting Safaris proprietor Philip Mafuta confirmed the development to The Mirror. Mafuta operates the safari with his wife Patricia Mutendi who is the managing director.

“The elections were held recently and four safaris contested. Leloma got 95 votes, Save Valley Conservancy 75 votes, Allen Davis eight votes and Green Safaris’ three votes.

“I am greatly honoured to have won the hunting quota and I will work closely with the local community and professional hunters to ensure that there is sustainable development which the community will appreciate. We want to provide tapped water and an ambulance for the community,” said Mafuta.

Farai Chauke who is the Nyangambe Campfire legal advisor praised the community for choosing Leloma Africa Hunting Safaris.

“Yes, the elections were free and fair and I thank the community for exercising their right by choosing they safari they think will uplift their lives through developmental projects,” Chauke.

The Nyangambe campfire project is owned by villagers and Leloma African Hunting Safaris will oversee the hunting processes by professional hunters and the selling of ivory and animal skins to local and international buyers. The proceeds will be used to develop the local community. The community also gets meat from edible animals when they are killed.

When reached for comment a community member Last Mutowo said as a community they were happy with Leloma.

“We as the community voted for Leloma hunting safaris as our investor and we are happy because they respect our wishes as the community”, said Mutowo.

In an interview with The Mirror Roy Bhila MP for Chiredzi North constituency he said he had nothing much to say but he respected democracy and the will of the people.

“We respect the community’s choice and democracy”, said Bhila.https://www.masvingomirror.com

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