By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
CALLS have been made for the District Development Committee (DDC) to strengthen oversight on the management and utilisation of Communal Area Management Programme For Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) funds to ensure transparency and that community priorities are fully addressed.
Speaking during a brief meeting held on the sidelines of a tour of Beitbridge District Hospital, the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe, said CAMPFIRE funds managed through Rural District Councils should be closely monitored by the DDC.
“Engage RDC CAMPFIRE funds should be monitored by the DDC office to monitor the spending so that the community suggestions on the spending are prioritised,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
The remarks come amid growing concerns from communities, traditional leaders, and civil society organisations over how CAMPFIRE revenues are being handled, particularly regarding transparency, accountability, and delays in the disbursement of funds meant for local development.
CAMPFIRE is a government initiative established in the late 1980s to enable rural communities to benefit directly from the sustainable use and management of natural resources, especially wildlife.
Through the programme, Rural District Councils (RDCs), acting on behalf of communities, generate revenue from activities such as trophy hunting, tourism, and wildlife conservation.
Under the CAMPFIRE framework, proceeds are expected to be channelled back to communities to support development projects such as schools, clinics, water infrastructure, roads, and other initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods.
The programme also seeks to encourage communities to conserve wildlife by linking conservation efforts to tangible economic benefits.
However, over the years, stakeholders have raised concerns that some communities are not fully benefiting from CAMPFIRE proceeds, citing limited feedback on how funds are utilised and inadequate consultation on priority projects.
These challenges have fuelled calls for stronger oversight mechanisms and improved coordination between RDCs, DDCs, and community representatives.
Nguluvhe said, enhanced monitoring by the DDC would help restore confidence in the programme and ensure that CAMPFIRE revenues are aligned with devolution goals and community development needs.