News from around the globe that the newspapers seldom print

Disclaimer and fair comment

While I agree with most of the material passed on I may not be in agreement with all. However there is much we can learn from some that we disagree with. Remember it was once thought that the earth was flat.

It is left to your judgment to determine what you agree with and what to act upon.

Wealth of pseudo Do Gooders should be confiscated

The likes of Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke and others should have their wealth confiscated and given to help the plight of those in Zimbabwe and South Africa whose lives they have helped to ruin. They should also be forced to reveal why they were so hell bent on destroying those countries.

The following was received from the South African Exile web-site. 

I have had numerous requests for more news as to what is happening in Zimbabwe . Here is a very brief report.  I really do not want to become an alarmist but I still believe it is important for people living outside this country to really know what is going on here.  We seem to live from day to day and nothing appears to be getting any better.  We are never sure what is going to happen next and how we are going to be affected by the next move.

Our field research programme has two major problems:

1. THE FIRST IS THE COMPLETE LACK OF FUEL.  The country has run out of fuel and it is now nearly two months since I last got a supply of diesel from a fuel station.  I have just returned from Botswana where I bought a full tank of diesel but that will only last another few days and then we are back to square one.  But in order to purchase fuel in Botswana we obviously require Botswana Pula which is not available here in Zimbabwe .  Then if you do manage to get some Pula the Customs at the Border Post want to know where you got the Pula from to purchase the fuel.  If you are lucky enough to get through Customs without a problem then the Police at "Road Blocks" on the road between Plumtree and Bulawayo want to know why you are carrying fuel in drums or jerry cans. 

THE FUEL SITUATION IS A REAL NIGHTMARE.  I have often been told "cheer up things could get worse.  So I cheered up and sure enough things got worse".
Three weeks ago we got water in the diesel fuel in our Mazda pick-up and then the real problem started.  It took two full weeks to get it fixed and in the end it cost us Z$15,000,000 (US$2,500 at the official bank rate).  This gives some idea of how expensive it is here in Zimbabwe and how one has to battle to undertake any field work. 

Some fuel is available on the 'black market' and can be obtained at about $17,000 a litre.  (This translates into US$2,8 a litre or US$14 a gallon).

A couple of days ago I saw a report in one of our newspapers that some people were paying as much as Z$70,000 a litre for petrol (i.e. US$11.00 a litre or US$55 a gallon).  Can you believe it!!

2. OUR SECOND MAJOR PROBLEM IS FUNDING.  Where on earth can one get sufficient funds to do field work when our inflation rate is now over 200% and costs are going up all the time.  Just one trip a month to Hwange National Park to track our radio-collared cheetah, leopard and Brown hyaena costs over Z$3,400,000 (or US$566) for fuel alone. 

Support from companies and businesses in Zimbabwe is absolutely nil as most are battling to survive themselves and therefore have nothing left to give away.  But I continually ask:-  how long must we wait for the world to wake up to the real nature of what is happening in Zimbabwe and the plight of those of us who have to battle just to get a few litres of fuel. 

However let me assure everyone that there is no way that I am going to give up or allow the system to beat me.  The worse things get the more determined I am to continue and under no circumstances will I ever give up.  I will not allow the conditions in this country to wear me down and no matter what happens I will continue with our Carnivore studies on leopards, cheetah and Brown hyaena.

Other organizations have different problems.  Here is an extract from a recent SPCA (Harare) newsletter

We were elated to receive the lovely award from Humane Society International for Extraordinary Achievement and Commitment at the Animal Care Expo in April.  This recognition has kept our Inspectors buoyed during the period since, which has been a very difficult time for us all.  Most of you will have read or heard about recent developments which have left over a million Zimbabweans homeless in the middle of winter with night time temperatures plummeting to nearly freezing point.
 
Obviously animals are once again caught up in the mayhem following government's 'Operation Murambatsvina' (Shona for "clean out the filth") and Operation Restore Order and SPCA centres are 'baby-sitting' a variety of different animals as their owners try to relocate and rebuild their lives but many are now living on the streets or in the ruins that remain.  Another sad but inevitable result, exacerbated by the dire state of the economy, is the surrendering of many animals to SPCA centres and Inspectors.
 
Ostriches were found to be dying of starvation on a farm in Marondera which had also been taken over.  Simon consulted with the previous owner and permission has been obtained for him to feed the birds.
 
Most of you will have learned that former MP, Roy Bennet whose farm featured regularly in our previous reports, has been released.  Unfortunately, another farmer, Phillip Mennie, was attacked in Chipinge on Sunday and received serious head injuries.  He was dragged from his vehicle by six men when he stopped at the farm gate and was head-butted, punched, beaten and kicked.  The farmer who suffers from glaucoma was unable to see after a sever blow to the back of the head. Two other farmers who tried to rescue him were also head-butted and beaten with sticks.  He has been hospitalized in Harare and his condition is reported as being stable.
 
A current major challenge is a crippling fuel shortage which has grounded many SPCA vehicles and is bringing remaining industry to a halt and will no doubt worsen the current food shortage.  Many shelves are bare and mealie-meal (national staple), bread, sugar, oil and of course pet food are all in short supply.  Our usual suppliers of vet meds and drugs report that they are unable to import even essential drugs such as euthanaise, vaccines, anesthetics and dewormer as they cannot secure forex from the government.
 
With ongoing kind support from those who continue to stand by us at this very challenging time, we will keep going and do everything in our power to continue to safeguard the extremely vulnerable animals of Zimbabwe .
 
 
V. J. WILSON
Research Director
Carnivore Research Institute