Please Note
This report has been edited due
to an ongoing exercise, that may be compromised if published in full
DAY ONE (30th March)
Contact was made with the Charara (Kariba) Warden, and a time was set
for a meeting of around 1100 hrs, which gave us time to visit various people,
and obtain some 200 litres of fuel for the patrols.
We managed to establish that Marine Centre had seen one of the 115
Yamaha's and it required a piston, as it had broken up. As payment for
spares is required first, prior to repairs being effected, there were problems
resolving the payment issue and consequently DNPW had taken it back and
it appears that it has been taken to another boat repair company in Kariba
and they are looking into it.
We also met with other people in Kariba to see what information could
be gleaned from them in respect of illegal netting and poaching operations
on the Lake.
Having collected and paid for the fuel etc we then proceeded to DNPW
at Peters Point and met with both Wardens, and had a long conversation,
in regard to the Task Force, and what was to be attempted that weekend.
The meeting
Discussion took place on the problems that both wardens had in effecting
controls, and trying to establish what equipment was required and what
could be salvaged from what was available.
During the discussion trying to evaluate what each had, in the way
of working/broken motors, it was agreed that both Wardens do a FULL inventory
(including state of repair and location)of their boats and motors, and
provide this to the Task Force, for evaluation.
The three 115 hp Mariners have arrived and are at Peters Point, and
one is to be fitted in the very near future.
Charara have now received a Falcon with 90 Mariner from Fibrecraft
in Bulawayo and thus now have two boats available. Tashinga just have the
one boat at present time.
At Tashinga one of the Sports has no transom at all, and the other
boats have holes. It is too difficult due to fuel resources being scarce
etc, to have these hulls moved by road, and since the ferries are not running
it was felt that it was best that these are moved to Kariba by water, after
having temporary repairs effected such that they could be towed back reasonably
safely.
Two patrols would be carried out on the mornings of the 31st March
and another on the 1st April, using DNPW personnel and a boat supplied
by the Task Force, and one boat from DNPW on the 1st April.
We supplied the Tashinga warden with 20 litres of fuel as he had come
all the way from Tashinga to meet us, and we supplied 40 litres of Fuel
to the Charara Warden for the Falcon to be used for the patrol on the 1st
April.
It was arranged that two rangers would be collected from the DNPW camp
outside of the Gorge for the first patrol, and we would meet with the DNPW
boat in the Naodza at the Hunting camp the next morning for the second
patrol, and they would do the Gache Gache with one member of the Task force,
whilst the Task Force boat did the Naodza..
The members then went and looked through the sheds for boats and motors
etc.
Several broken propellers were found for various motors and it was
advised that these should be put together in a box and sent in to the Task
Force such that they can be repaired and used again.
In the small shed there were two old 40 hp Johnson/Evinrudes and a
smaller motor (fairly new model) that has the insides of the gear box missing..
There is also the majority of a 90/115 Johnson in pieces, that it may
be possible to rebuild, or use in conjunction with another to make up one
motor from two.
It was agreed that once the full inventory was received from the wardens,
a review would be made to see what we could recover using all the various
motors etc.
I (Alan Holt) am to go down to Paynes Boatworks, and ascertain what
they have in the way of DNPW motors for repair and the requirements in
spares for these etc. This will then go towards the full inventory for
review.
Regrettably we were unable to source means of communication at the
time, as it was advised that many of the radios were in for repair, and
the few left were out with patrols.
DAY TWO (Sanyati Gorge Patrol) (To see the
map of this patrol Click Here)
The Task Force members left at around 0435 to meet the Rangers at the
Gorge. We arrived just on 0600 hrs and collected the two rangers who were
there and waiting for us as agreed.
The patrol proceeded into the gorge and saw three poachers in canoes
around the second crossroads, but due to fuel problems were unable to catch
them before they got to the bank.
However, they had fled into the bush and left their canoes etc at the
waters edge (Matusadona Side). Of the three canoes, one sank all on its
own, and the other two were destroyed, and sunk. Some fish were recovered
together with some cooking implements and clothing etc. The fish that were
still alive were returned to the water.
We then proceeded further down the Gorge and came across one man in
a canoe, who turned out to be a police informer looking for some criminals
that were supposed to be in the area. We took him on board and sank his
canoe.
He told us that there were about ten people down at the bottom of the
gorge with nets and fish etc, so we proceeded further down and saw them
at the waters edge, but we were very wary about storming in with the boat,
due to the rocks and the current. Consequently as soon as they saw us coming
they started to run, but left most of their stuff behind, together with
nets in the water.
We patrolled the shore on both sides, and recovered all the bags and
equipment they had left behind, and sank one boat that had been left on
the shore. In all there were two small camps here, and two nets which produced
two Hunyani Salmon which were returned to the lake from the nets. It appeared
that they had just been put out.
Food, fish, clothing and salt were recovered, and the camps destroyed.
From information supplied by the "informer" it was found that back
at the crossroads, there had been further six or seven poachers around,
and the patrol returned to the second crossroads.
As we approached the second crossroads, a larger bark canoe was seen
with one person paddling, but again he was faster than we were, in getting
to the shore and he disappeared into the thick bush. The boat was recovered
and sunk.
We then proceeded further into the crossroad to the end, and found
several poachers and a well established camp. They did escape up the river
course, but left everything behind.
It appears that this camp (almost a village) had been there for some
time and was well organised, with racks, sleeping quarters etc.
There was a lot of equipment left behind including nets, clothing,
fish, boats and personal belongings such as a calculator, money bag etc.
A further three boats were destroyed and sunk.
We also found Mbanje in this camp. A lot of the items were burnt,(there
was too much to take away) and the remainder was taken away, and the camp
burnt down and destroyed.
We did search the gorge again but found nothing else and returned the
scouts to their camp, with all the recovered equipment and fish, with the
boat looking like a "Matambanadzo Bus" with all the bags all over the front
of the boat and in it.
Day Two Summary and observations
In all some 10 boats were sunk and around 10 nets recovered or destroyed,
with about 500 Kg of fish recovered, together with bedding, clothing, a
calculator and wallets etc.
The poachers did not seem to be too scared of operating in the Gorge,
as it appears that they see little traffic nowadays, and with there having
been no patrols in here for some time, (due to no equipment or means of
transport in,) were obviously quite confident that they were pretty safe.
In all there must have been around 20 poachers operating in the gorge,
but they did not have that much fish around, in terms of the scales found,
and so it is assumed that they had obviously just sent it out, or it had
been collected in the last 48 hours, as most of the fish was only a day
old and not properly dry yet.
The co-operation from the rangers was good, and they were keen to catch
the guys, but as we were at that time unfamiliar with the water levels
etc, and what to expect, we were a bit too slow in getting to them.
Now that we are aware of the situation in the Gorge, as far as accessibility
for boats and ground staff to support them, we can ensure that future patrols
are better prepared and the patrols can be even more effective.
The poachers will be deterred for a couple of weeks, but will no doubt
return once they manage to resupply themselves with nets, boats and food
etc., and consequently the patrols must now become more frequent and thorough,
especially as far as ground support and follow up is concerned.
The next patrols must be in the gorge before first light, and be as
far is in as possible to provide an element of surprise.
DAY THREE Naodza River and Bay (To see the
map of this patrol Click Here)
The Task Force departed from their start point at about 0445 hrs and
proceeded towards the Naodza.
As we had noticed that there were two rigs in the Charara area beyond
the boundaries on last three nights, these were investigated by the Task
Force and their numbers and details noted. One was fishing in 18 to 20
foot of water, and the other even had the cheek to offer us tiger fish.
As we did not have a Ranger with us at the time, no action was taken
other than to take down the details of the boats and supply the information
to the rangers we were about to meet with.
We proceeded down the Naodza, noting that there were rigs operating
beyond the boundary, and several on the very edge. As we got further in
there was one rig flashing his lights, to tell the others that somebody
was coming, and the rigs that were out of bounds started to move around.
We found four rigs right down by the DNPW camp and quickly noted their
numbers and details, and then proceeded to the camp to meet with the boat
and rangers that were to be part of the patrol.
Surprise, surprise, there was no boat or rangers there for us. The
Rangers and Sergeant at the camp told us that they had arrived at about
1900 hours in the evening , and then left at about 0200 hours in the morning,
and would be proceeding to the Gache Gache after doing the rigs in the
Naodza.
This was a bit of a surprise and shock, and after some discussions
with the Sergeant, we were supplied two Rangers, with a radio, to continue
the patrol in the Naodza.
We proceeded down the river to the Power lines and found that the water
was too shallow to proceed much further, and consequently tried to get
the rangers to the bank so that they could try to go further on foot, and
see what was going on around the corner.
It must be pointed out that the area is infested with crocodiles, from
about 1 kilometre before the power lines, to the last navigable bend in
the river (a further 800 to 1000 metres past the power lines).
At one stage almost 100 could be seen on the surface and many more
were under the water. Needless to say there was no signs of poaching in
this area, for that very obvious reason.
With the rangers having been away for almost 20 minutes to half an
hour, the Task force assumed they had found something or had gone quite
far down the river, and thus proceeded to follow.
This proved to be a mistake, as when the members got to the bend three
people were seen in the river lifting a net, some 800 to 1000 metres upstream.
Two appeared to be in brown/Khaki clothing and thus it was assumed that
the Parks Rangers had managed to apprehend a poacher and were recovering
his net. This proved to be wrong and it was three of the five poachers
that were operating up there, catching the spawning Tiger fish, and consequently
once the Task Force got closer, they began to run.
The rangers were waiting in ambush about a hundred metres away from
them hoping that they would cross the river back to our side.
The poachers began to run and were asked to stop, which they did not
do, despite two warning shots being fired by the Rangers, knowing full
well that we could not get to that side of the river without a boat or
canoe, due to the depth of the river and the danger of crocodiles .
Their camp was on our side of the river, and this was searched and
about 50 to 80 Kg of Tiger fish recovered.
Most of this was freshly caught, with a few drying fish near the fire.
As we were unable to follow up further, the camp was then destroyed.
No boats or Nets were found, but mbanje, food, clothing and utensils
were destroyed by burning or disposed of in the river.
The camp seemed to be well established, and had obviously been there
for some time, probably since the start of the rainy season. There appeared
to be a form of track leading back into the bush, which was followed for
some way with no result and went too far to follow up further.
The party then returned to the boat to continue to other areas in the
Naodza.
There had been report, about ten days previously, of a lot of Tiger
fish having been seen at the DDF research camp in the Naodza, more than
could have been caught on rod and line and been that fresh, (apparently
several tonnes of it,) and the Task Force went to investigate the bay and
village, with the Rangers.
The village was investigated, but no fish were found, and it was established
that the crew (or team) had been changed about six or seven days previously,
and obviously the fish had gone out with them.
At this time (around 0900 to 0930 hours) we asked the rangers to check
with the boat, what they had found in the Gache Gache. We were advised
that they were in the Gache Gache, and had found nothing, but had issued
to tickets to some rigs in the Naodza, just after they had left the camp
early in the morning.
We then continued to patrol the shoreline going out of the Naodza but
found no evidence of camps but did see a couple of loose net floats, which
showed that there was netting taking place within the "Out of Bounds" area,
but they appeared to have cleared their nets from the area by the time
that we had got there.
We then decided to go back to the DNPW camp and return the rangers,
via some of the offending rigs, that were still parked within the area
close to the camp.
There was only one guard on the four rigs that were tied together,
and he refused to provide any details of who owned the rigs etc, and was
very arrogant to the Parks staff. (I am sure that Mr Rodrigues will supply
more detail on the conversation which was held in Shona).
We then returned the rangers to the DNPW camp and left.
Day Three Summary and observations
This day had been a little of a disappointment, especially with no
result in the Gache Gache, and the obvious disrespect that the rigs staff
have of the Parks staff, to the extent they were fishing within a few hundred
metres of their (DNPW) camp in the river, obviously knowing full well that
the staff at the camp could not get to them now that the boat had gone.
The co-operation given by the Sergeant at the camp was very good, and
the enthusiasm of the two Rangers supplied can not be questioned, but there
appears to be an air of hopelessness amongst the staff, knowing they are
powerless to do anything about the problems they are supposed to control
and deal with.
The rangers based at this camp are sorely in need of small craft to
enable them to have access to both sides of the river and to be able to
go further up the river easily, to do their patrols. Some 2 man canoes
or a small 10 foot boat with a shallow draught would be ideal for them
to be able to do their work up in the rivers.
The disappointment that the Boat had not waited as arranged, was quite
great, and appeared to make our efforts unwanted, and a waste of time.
The "No Result" in the Gache Gache was sort of expected, as bush telegraph
works quite quickly, and the word gets around, but something should have
been found, even if it was just a couple of hidden boats, or an empty net.
Observations arising from a further visit to DNPW Peters Point after
the patrols.
We returned to DNPW Peters Point in the afternoon, to collect our containers
in which we had supplied the fuel, and to see if we could speak to the
Warden, and tell him what had transpired over the two patrols, even though
he would be getting a copy of the reports.
He was advised of the results, and we asked for details of the fines
that the DNPW boat had issued that morning, so we could cross check the
numbers that we had noted.
We were then advised that the boat had apparently returned to Peters
Point at around 0500 hrs.
This began a lot of queries, especially in regard to the conversation
on the radio earlier in the morning.
The stories from the Coxswain/Driver began to get very confusing, especially
in light of what we knew from the staff at DNPW camp in the Naodza, and
the radio conversation earlier in the day.
Suggestions and Comments
1.)It would appear that fines from National Parks are treated with
contempt, and are also far too low to create a deterrent.
I have often heard that the equipment used by poachers and in other
illegal activities, should be impounded, from the boat, right down to the
car they launch the boat with, or any other item that is directly related
to the illegal activity.
Consequently I would suggest that the following measures be implemented
when issuing fines to rigs etc.
a)The rig crew be arrested
and bound to the rig with Handcuffs or other suitable restraints.
b)The rig be IMPOUNDED,
and either the keys and light bulbs be removed back to the Office, where
they can be
redeemed
upon full payment of the fines and release fee (some $5000), or that the
rig be made to drive somewhere
(under
escort,) where the crew can be released, and the vessel locked up, until
the fines are paid up to date .
Needless to say DNPW will
be responsible for advising the operating company that their rig has been
impounded and
immobilised, and that their
staff have either been restrained on the Rig or can be collected from somewhere
and may need
collection.
c)Upon the third transgression
of the law their licence be cancelled with IMMEDIATE EFFECT, and
the name of the
Captain be black marked
and circulated to the Kapenta Producers Association or any other suitable
body, such that he is
made known as a poor contractor
and possibly the removal of any licences that he may have for captaining/driving
such a
vessel.
I am sure that this would
be welcomed by the companies concerned, especially at this time when things
are hard enough
as it is, without them having
to pay release fees and fines.
As far as the poachers (illegal netters) are concerned, their fines
are also totally ineffective, and need to be reviewed urgently, as the
fine would be covered within half an hour of him having laid his net the
first time after.
Continuous breaches of the law should have increasingly higher penalties,
up to and including imprisonment.
It is very apparent from the fines registers, that there are several
continuous offenders, that do not even bother to pay the many fines that
they still have outstanding, and continue to break the law with disdain
and disregard for the DNPW staff or their authority.
In regard to the boating equipment that is laying around at various
stations and places, in different states of disrepair.
All of this needs to catalogued and physically put in one place, so
a plan can be made to assemble and repair what one can from the bits and
pieces, and this would save a considerable amount of money, that may be
unnecessarily spent on purchasing new equipment that is not really required.
In order to help, with the amount of boats and motors around, it may
be prudent to consider having one or two staff that can be trained to service
the equipment on a regular basis, do basic fibre glass repairs and tend
to faults in the field, before they become huge (possibly disastrous) problems,
instead of small easily repaired ones when caught in time.
The preventative maintenance is now an important issue, with the cost
of replacement equipment in this day and age.