The Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa,
has demanded that the famous Black Rhino, known as ‘John’ that was
removed from Ngorongoro Crater under a dubious arrangement be restored
back to the caldera immediately.
Speaking at the Ngorongoro Conservation
Area, the premier shocked the audience when he revealed the scam through
which some NCAA officials together with others from TANAPA colluded to
sell the Black Rhino for 200m/- but as it happened, the buyers had paid
an advance of 100m/- to have the rare animal taken from the caldera.
“I know that the rhino was taken to
Grumeti Reserve in Serengeti under the pretext of having the rare and
endangered animal breed in the location. But in reality, it is under
ownership of the private lodge,” said the prime minister.
According to the premier, the rhino was
taken to Grumeti Singita Sasakwa Lodge where nothing was heard of ever
since the animal was taken there months ago. Mr Majaliwa even named some
of the suspects - two officials from TANAPA, Dr Macha (from Mkomazi
National Park) and Dr Kileo (Serengeti National Park), as well as Mr
Patrice Mattay (former ecologist at Ngorongoro), Israel Naaman and
Cuthbert Lemanya (both from NCAA). Mr Mattay was present during the
meeting between Premier Majaliwa and NCAA officials.
When he was called forward to defend
himself, the ecologist refuted the claims, saying that the shifting of
the rhino followed the ‘right procedures.’ He even told the meeting that
the claims about them pocketing 200m/- were ‘pure lies’.
This prompted the Arusha Regional
Commissioner (RC), Mr Mrisho Gambo, to reprimand him for insinuating
that the prime minister was a liar.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area is the only
place in the country with the highest concentration of free roaming
rhinos, all safe inside the well-guarded crater. The number is estimated
to be above 35, but no one seems to be missing.
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