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From George Maponga in Masvingo
Government is concerned about rampant fish poaching at Tokwe-Mukosi Dam and has challenged law enforcement agencies to beef up security at the country’s largest inland dam. Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Senator Josaya Hungwe said the increase in poaching activities at Tokwe-Mokosi poses a serious threat to the Command Fisheries Project.

Government stocked more than 200 000 fingerlings in the dam last year as part of the Command Fisheries initiative.

“We have been witnessing an unprecedented increase in poaching activities at Tokwe-Mukosi Dam, where poachers are taking advantage of laxity in security to illegally harvest fish,” he said.

“The problem of fish poaching at Tokwe-Mukosi is of serious concern to us as Government as it poses a big threat to the success of the Command Fisheries Project that was launched at the dam last year.”

It is believed that Tokwe-Mukosi has the potential to be a major fisheries hub, with positive economic spin-offs for the Chivi community.

“We are calling upon the police, the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and other law enforcement agencies to urgently beef up security at Tokwe-Mukosi to bring the scourge of poaching under control.

“We need a vibrant fisheries industry at the dam, but that can only happen if poaching is not allowed to go out of hand,” he said. The fisheries project is envisaged to create thousands of jobs. Communities in Chivi are being encouraged to consider forming fishing cooperatives and partnerships, especially with investors that have the required financial outlay and modern equipment.

However, Government has not yet started issuing fishing permits at Tokwe-Mukosi. Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri last year officially launched the Masvingo provincial Command Fisheries programme at the dam.

At the launch, she noted that Tokwe-Mukosi is expected to become a major breeding centre for fish that would also be stocked in other major dams in Masvingo such as Mutirikwi, Bangala, Manjirenji and Muzhwi, among others.

Tokwe-Mukosi was commissioned by former President Robert Mugabe in May last year and is now Zimbabwe’s biggest inland dam with a capacity of 1,8 billion cubic metres. The dam has potential to irrigate 25 000 hectares and coupled with its potential to be a fisheries hub, it is considered as a potential major stimulant for socio-economic development in the province.