Zambia's wildlife chief fired over hunting safarisBy XINHUA | Tuesday, January 1  2013 at  16:54

The head of Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has been fired after irregularities were identified in the awarding of safari hunting licences to some companies, The Post of Zambia reported on Monday.

General Edwin Matokwani was fired together with four other senior officials for irregularities in the awarding of the 10-year safari hunting licences.

The documents have since been revoked.

The country's minister of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo said there were several irregularities in the awarding of the hunting concession in 19 blocs in various game parks, which would not be tolerated.

"Contrary to the tender rules, there was a leakage of information during the evaluation process to prospective bidders long before the process was completed. This in itself rendered the whole evaluation process not credible in the eyes of stakeholders and the general public, "she was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

According to her, some companies which submitted bids in the tender process had directors related to one another, contrary to tender rules.

Following the irregularities in the awarding of the licences, some stakeholders petitioned Zambian President Michael Sata to intervene.