Millions for Zim park upgrade

THE Zimbabwean government has given Z$100bn (R6,3m) to the country’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to fund the upgrading of infrastructure in the Gonarezhou National Park. Edward Mbewe, public relations manager at the Parks Authority, told TNN that the money will go to furthering current upgrade projects. These include improving the roads in the park, of which 170km have to date been upgraded according to Mbewe; camping site upgrades; improving the exterior and interior of lodges; and an electrification programme currently underway. Mbewe said the aim of the various projects was to bring the park’s facilities in line with the “required standards”. He added that the upgrades were government initiated and not the result of pressure to improve park infrastructure given that it forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. Despite the government’s assertion that work is being done to improve the park, some interest groups in Zimbabwe say the park is in a shambles. They add that no renovations have been done even though the government has committed money to upgrades. (Darren Sandras) darrens@nowmedia.co.za