Shocking revelations from a recent pre-season meeting of Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and hunting safari operators. The discussion (embedded below) reveals that from 2013, ZAWA intends to convert Game Management Areas (GMAs) to fenced game ranches on 35-40 year leases, allowing permanent structures on a customary (usufruct) lease and with full hunting rights – safari, citizen, and resident - held by operator lessees, all fees paid direct to the community. It appears that ZAWA has decided to privatise customary land from the comfort of their board room and without consultation with the Zambian people. This is a shocking development in how land is administered in Zambia. It is a shameful attempt to dispossess land from the poor and must be thoroughly condemned. We are about to see a massive exodus of our people from their land if this monster is not checked sooner rather than later.
The Pre Safari Hunting Meeting
