By SYLVESTER MWALE
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MUCHINGA Wild Game Capture Services says it has resolved to take legal action against Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) over the K3.9 million animal translocation contract.
The decision comes against ZAWA’s insistence that the wildlife firm was contracted to move 450 animals at K1.45 million and not the K3.9 million that was offered in the letter.
Muchinga Wild Game Capture Services director Almond Sitima said it was clear that the two parties would not agree on things that were straightforward.
“We are going to court for arbitration because we have failed to agree. I believed that we could resolve this matter amicably, but it is like we are not going anywhere,” Dr Sitima said.
“If ZAWA can check from the advert they issued to ask for interested bidders, the tender documents and the offer letter, they will realise that they are lying today because it is clearly stated.”
ZAWA engaged Muchinga Wild Game Capture Services in 2012 to translocate 450 animals from different national parks to Lusaka National Park and Mosi-oa-Tunya in Livingstone.
According to the offer letter, the contract which is now subject to ACC investigations, was worth K3.9 million and was to run for two years, however, the contract did not indicate the total sum to be paid after the works.
ZAWA acting director-general Kampamba Kombe said last week that Muchinga was contracted to translocate 450 wildlife animals at K1.45 million and not the K3.9 million.
But Dr Sitima said his firm should not incur any loss due to the bad contract because it was ZAWA itself that drafted the document.
Documents showed that ZAWA received 327 wild animals worth K2.1 million although the authority claims it was not aware about that amount of money.
According to delivery notices, the wildlife firm first delivery to Lusaka Park was on September 2, 2012 where 50 blesbok, 28 nyala and 98 wildebeest were translocated from South Africa.
The documents further revealed that the second delivery of animals was done on September 23, where 104 wildebeest were translocated from South Africa.
ZAWA received the last consignment on October 26, 2012 consisting of 47 zebras to the Lusaka Park from the Blue Lagoon.