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🇿🇼 Zimbabwe /Environment & Climate

Forestry Commission Seizes 20 Trucks and 4,000 Charcoal Bags in Harare Deforestation Sweep

From AllAfrica Zimbabwe · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Zimbabwe’s Forestry Commission impounded 20 trucks and seized 4,000 bags of charcoal and 300 cubic metres of firewood in Harare Metropolitan Province during an August operation.
  • Officials issued 111 spot fines worth more than US$22,000 last month and said prosecutions under the Forest Act were before the courts.
  • The Commission is working with police, correctional services and traditional leaders to expand patrols and roadblocks against illegal forest-product trade.

Zimbabwe’s Forestry Commission has seized 20 trucks, 4,000 bags of charcoal and 300 cubic metres of firewood in a major operation against illegal forest trade in Harare Metropolitan Province.

We are serious about protecting our forests.

· Lewis RadzireThe Forestry Commission operations manager described the purpose of the crackdown.

The August crackdown targeted Mbare, Chikwanha in Chitungwiza and Lusaka in Highfield, along with vehicles supplying urban markets and poultry farmers. Eight of the impounded vehicles were light trucks, while 12 were heavy trucks used to transport illegal forest products.

The Commission also issued 111 spot fines last month, collecting more than US$22,000. The average fine was US$200, but Operations Manager Lewis Radzire said revenue was not the main purpose of the campaign. “Money is not the issue here. The issue is saving our trees,” he said. He added that cases brought under the Forest Act are already before the courts and warned, “Breaking the law will cost you.”

Money is not the issue here. The issue is saving our trees.

· Lewis RadzireRadzire said the fines were not the main objective of the enforcement campaign.

The operation forms part of the “No To Indigenous Firewood” campaign. The Commission is coordinating with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service and traditional leaders on roadblocks, patrols and rapid responses to public reports. It is also conducting awareness campaigns in farming communities about the effects of tree loss on water, rainfall and livelihoods.

Breaking the law will cost you.

· Lewis RadzireHe warned traders facing prosecutions under the Forest Act.

Radzire said more traders are registering as the sector moves toward formalisation, describing that as evidence that people are choosing to comply. The public has been urged to ensure that all forest products being transported have proper documentation. “This blitz will not stop here. We are taking it to other provinces ahead of the rainy season because we are serious about protecting our forests for future generations,” Radzire said.

This blitz will not stop here. We are taking it to other provinces ahead of the rainy season because we are serious about protecting our forests for future generations.

· Lewis RadzireRadzire said the operation would expand beyond Harare.
About this summary

Originally published by AllAfrica Zimbabwe in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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