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Simiso Mlevu Harare Bureau—
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has called upon Zimbabweans to preserve their natural resources to avoid situations like the recent killing of the popular lion Cecil by an American dentist at Hwange National Park. He said the environment and natural resources must be conserved because there are vandals who come from all over the world to irregularly and illegally acquire them.

Addressing thousands who gathered at the National Heroes Acre for the Heroes Day commemorations yesterday, President Mugabe said as a result of the selfless deeds of fallen heroes and heroines like Mbuya Nehanda, Zimbabweans were independent and have dominion over all which is above and below the land.

He lamented failure by people to protect Cecil the lion whose killing by an American dentist Walter James Palmer sparked worldwide outrage.

“You’ve the sovereign right, supreme in its essence, over all that’s under Zimbabwe, all that’s above the land growing, the forest, all the creeping creatures and those running,” said President Mugabe.

“Even Cecil the Lion is yours. He is dead, but he was yours to protect and you failed to protect him. There are vandals who come from all over, of course, some maybe just ordinary visitors, but others would want to vandalise, to irregularly and illegally acquire part of those resources.”

President Mugabe said while the independence and sovereignty of the country was an instrument for transforming the economy, it was also an instrument for defending natural resources.

Fallen heroes and heroines like Mbuya Nehanda, President Mugabe said, fought for the freedom of everyone and should be celebrated.

“We’re mourning (Mbuya Nehanda and other heroes) yes today, but mainly praising them,” said President Mugabe.

“Our heroes sacrificed their lives, but they brought independence and the control of our natural resources.

President Mugabe urged Zimbabweans to consolidate the gains of the liberation struggle and independence which gives masses the right to everything.

“We have many animals which we are supposed to protect. Its a sin to kill them).”