77 wood poachers nabbed in Midlands

Gweru (New Ziana)-At least 70 people have been arrested in Midlands province in a blitz against firewood poaching, the Forestry Commission has said.

Midlands Province Forestry Commission manager Roderick Nyahwai said most of the raids were targeting firewood barons who sometimes use trucks to poach firewood with 77 people having been fined while 17 cars and 16 scotch carts have been confiscated under the operation.

He said the COVID-19 set curfew has affected their operations as the time beyond curfew is when most looters move their loot.

“The problem is that most of our rangers work within the stipulated times of 0800 hours to 1530 in line with COVID-19 protocols.

“Now these firewood dealers usually operate at night to avoid raids. We end up rounding people like these who sell at the back of the shops but as you can see, this entire place is said to be owned by three people which makes it three tickets,” he said.

Nyahwai cited low fines as major setbacks in their fight against curbing environmental crime.

“Our raids are mostly in Zvishavane and Gweru since some areas have no transport at all. We need to save the environment at all costs,” said Nyahwai.

Lack of deterrent measures in dealing with perpetrators has also been identified as another factor that has seen the law enforcement agents failing to deal with the vicious cycle.

“The problem is that the law prescribes that when one is arrested with the firewood, they have to pay a fine of three thousand dollars and we release them. This has seen us arresting the same people time and again as there is no custodial sentence to offenders. We need to come up with a more robust legislative framework that deals with perpetrators if we are to preserve this environment for future generations,” he added.

Power cuts have resulted in a rise in demand for alternative sources of energy, prompting firewood poachers to get in an overdrive mode in a scenario that is threatening the environment at large.

New Ziana