As a benchmark for measuring the success of the project we are currently implementing throughout Zimbabwe which is focused on court monitoring wildlife crimes we undertook a wildlife crime baseline survey in the KAZA region.
The survey was undertaken at Kariba, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Lupane, Bulawayo, Binga, Plumtree and Tsholotsho Magistrates Court. We undertook this initiative in collaboration with Space For Giants and European Union as the project sponsors.
All the data captured was analyzed and a report was published in a book entitled KAZA Baseline Survey Report.

In the month of October we held the long awaited Rapid Reference Guide (RRG) training workshop in Masvingo, which had been initially scheduled for March 2020 but postponed due to COVID-19. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Great Zimbabwe ruins and the serene and very green atmosphere at Ancient City Lodge, we gathered 14 participants from National Prosecuting Authority and ZIMPARKS. Participants were from two provinces, Masvingo and Manicaland.
Twelve of the participants were Prosecutors from the NPA and two investigators from ZIMPARKS. The training spanned over three days with varying topics on investigations, bail guidance, handling evidence, crafting charges, preparing for trial, submissions during and after trial, sentence guidance and the role of prosecutors before, during and after trial and appeals.
Each participant went home with their own copy of the RRG. Special thanks to SpaceForGiants and UKDefra for funding us.

Our Director Adv Eva Chinoda met with Victor Nkiwane, the Dean of the Herbert Chitepo Law School, Great Zimbabwe University to discuss the introduction of Wildlife Law as a course at the University. We are happy to announce that 2021 will see an introduction of Wildlife Law as an optional course to be offered to students at the Law School.
Great Zimbabwe University will be the first University in Zimbabwe to offer the course with of course our Director teaching the course.

From the 9th to the 10th of November 2020 we conducted a Legal awareness training for the Rangers at the Akashinga International Anti-Poaching Foundation in Nyamakate. We trained 12 Ranger instructors who will in turn train the newly recruited rangers.
The aim of the training was to make the frontline defence in protecting wildlife appreciate their work within the legal framework. We unpacked the value of wildlife and the legal implications of the classifications of wildlife. We made the instructors appreciate why wildlife was important.
The training also addressed the Roles and duties of a ranger, laws regulating Wildlife in Zimbabwe, how to conduct a legal arrest, constitutional rights of the accused.The rangers were asked to identify different offences in the Parks and Wildlife Act so that they will be able to arrest poachers. We also discussed in depth the Indemnity Act and the circumstances under which a ranger may be indemnified i.e. if he / she acts in good faith.
Gathering of evidence, testifying in court, Court procedure, Sentencing and type of sentences that may be imposed are some of the topics that were also discussed. A mock court session was also done to capacitate the rangers on how they should testify in court.

On the 12th of November 2020 we signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe. This was a ground-breaking and exciting development for us as we were empowered with the prosecutorial duties. We are now able to perform the following:
1. Prosecute any and every wildlife and environmental cases in different courts and regions.
2. Provide prosecutors free legal advice when handling wildlife cases.
3. Facilitate the production of resources in the form of wildlife law reports, guides, posters, and publications.
4. Provide wildlife, environmental and any animal law literature.
5. Provide the NPA with information on the status of wildlife crimes.

We are gladly announcing that we are now offering free consultancy services pertaining to any animal health issues that may arise. We are going to be offering these services on a platform we have termed “Animal Dial” This platform is a digital platform and it is available right round the clock for your convenience.

The consultancy services are going to be offered in conjunction with animal health experts that we have partnered with. For all your animal health issues we are readily available at the click of just one button. We have partnered with experts in animal health who are seasoned and well versed on the health of farm animals.

We care for all animals as they are sentient beings in their own virtue. Please do feel free to get in touch with us on “Animal Dial” for all your animal health questions and issues pertaining to farm animals only.

We are gladly announcing that we are now offering free consultancy services pertaining to any animal health issues that may arise. We are going to be offering these services on a platform we have termed “Animal Dial” This platform is a digital platform and it is available right round the clock for your convenience.

The consultancy services are going to be offered in conjunction with animal health experts that we have partnered with. For all your animal health issues we are readily available at the click of just one button. We have partnered with experts in animal health who are seasoned and well versed on the health of farm animals.

We care for all animals as they are sentient beings in their own virtue. Please do feel free to get in touch with us on “Animal Dial” for all your animal health questions and issues pertaining to farm animals only.

In this lockdown period poaching and wildlife crimes have been on the rise as criminals are taking advantage of the lockdown restrictions on movement of many people and shutdown of many National Parks, Conservancies and Sanctuary activities by visitors.
In spite of this lockdown SOFA is working with its various stakeholders in fighting wildlife crime and for assistance in fighting wildlife crime please feel free to get in touch with us we are readily available to assist.