A report by the Auditor-General has exposed severe lapses at the Forestry Commission, revealing how lax regulation may be enabling trophy hunters to loot public funds.
The 2023 audit, tabled before parliament, flagged undeclared and unpaid trophy fees from tourists, highlighting the commission’s failure to enforce proper booking procedures. As a result, hunters reportedly completed safaris without paying the required fees to the state agency.
Trophy hunting is one of Zimbabwe’s most lucrative industries, generating between US$14 million and US$40 million annually. One agency alone reportedly made about US$20 million between 2023 and early 2024. This revenue supports conservation, anti-poaching efforts and community development programmes such as Campfire.
But, like other forex heavy sectors, it risks becoming a looting hotspot when poorly managed.
Auditor-General Rheah Kujinga flagged these weaknesses in her review of the commission’s 2023 financial statements, though she did not confirm if the issues had been resolved.
“The commission’s controls over the hunting bookings were inadequate during the period under review,” Kujinga said. “For instance, a client completed the hunting process on October 24, 2023, but did not pay trophy fees amounting to US$18 330. This was contrary to the commission’s hunting bookings policy which requires clients to make full payments ... before the hunting activities are carried out. Management should make efforts to recover the amount ... and strengthen its internal processes.”
In response, the commission said: “Observation is noted. It is a case which we are currently pursuing.”
Further losses are worsened by the commission’s failure to comply with tax policies.
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Despite being Value Added Tax-registered, it remains unfiscalised, in breach of Zimbabwean regulations.
The Forestry Commission was established under the Forest Act and the Communal Land Forest Produce Act, with a mandate to manage state forests and protect private forestry resources.
