Paul Nyathi

A group of stakeholders from the Hwange Game Reserve has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene and block the issuance of coal mining rights to Chinese Investors inside the Hwange National Park.

The stakeholders made the appeal to Mnangagwa through a statement issued out on Tuesday.

“We humbly request that you cancel all Special Grants that are within Hwange National Park and all of the National Parks of Zimbabwe,” reads part of the statement.

“Travel agents and tourists will cancel their travel itineraries and tours scheduled to arrive in Hwange National Park and will seek alternative destinations in other countries.”

“Special Mining Grants were issued for concessions in areas that already had been allocated to other safari operators who have invested millions of dollars in tourism infrastructure. Lawsuits will ensue, seeking compensation for losses due to mining operations.

“Every safari camp, tour operator and activity provider will likely lose their business as a direct result of mining in Hwange National Park,” states the statement.