Harare, — In a significant move to address the escalating issue of wildlife crime, Power Mupunga, Liaison and Development Manager of Akashinga, met with Loyce Matanda-Moyo, the Prosecutor General, this morning.
The discussion centered on establishing a partnership aimed at enhancing efforts to combat wildlife crime in Zimbabwe.
Both parties acknowledged the urgent need for public awareness campaigns to educate local communities on their crucial role in protecting wildlife.
Recognising that community involvement is essential, they emphasised the importance of fostering a cultural shift towards conservation.
The meeting also explored the potential of leveraging technology to strengthen the fight against wildlife crime.
Enhanced training for both prosecutors and Akashinga rangers was discussed, with a particular focus on integrating electronic evidence from advanced monitoring systems.
This technology is expected to not only improve on-the-ground protection of wildlife but also assist in developing legal precedents that can strengthen wildlife protection laws.
“The large-scale worldwide illicit wildlife trade has a staggering impact on wildlife and the environment,” Matanda-Moyo stated. “Therefore, the NPAZ, like other players in the criminal justice value chain, needs all the help it can get to ensure Zimbabwe finds sustainable solutions to defeat wildlife crime.”
This partnership marks a crucial step in the ongoing battle against wildlife crime, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to safeguard Zimbabwe’s rich biodiversity.
