How SADC votes were 'stolen' at CITES
Friday, August 30, 2019
The three elephant over-populated SADC countries, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe submitted a joint proposal to trade in thousands of tonnes of stockpiled ivory. But they were incredibly defeated by 101 (81%) no-votes, with only 22 votes (19%) supporting their proposal. That vote 81% to 19% - that’s the smoking gun.
It suggests that animal rights groups had long rigged the votes that were cast last week at the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), in Geneva, Switzerland.
While the political shift brings hope for change, it also places immense pressure on the new administration to deliver on its election promises in the face of serious economic challenges.On another level, newly appointed Finance Minister Ndaba Gaolathe’s grim assessment of the country’s finances adds urgency to the moment. The budget deficit, expected to be P8.7 billion, is now anticipated to be even higher due to underperforming diamond...