Isis-attack on SA-owned hunting camp: ‘Catastrophic impact on community'

The Citizen

05-05-2025

A recent attack by Isis fighters on a luxury hunting camp in northern Mozambique has had a 'catastrophic' impact on the local community.
This is according to Jacques Hartzenberg, the owner of South African company Chapungu Safaris Africa, which owns the Kambako hunting camp. The camp was destroyed and, tragically, two of the four workers who were captured were beheaded.
The attackers stole fuel, food, clothing and vehicles. What wasn't stolen was destroyed in a fire that demolished the camp. Kambako is situated in the Niassa Special Reserve, which is divided into six hunting blocks, each overseen by private companies. Kambako is regarded as one of the biggest hunting operators in Mozambique.
Hartzenberg told Caxton Network News that the attack happened on April 19, at about 17:00. He was not at the camp at the time.
They initially thought the attackers were opportunistic looters.
'Afterwards, we were made aware that insurgents had entered the Kambako camp. Staff ran away in different directions, so, as management, we did not know if any or how many of them were being held captive.'
He says the insurgents only left the camp in the early hours of April 24.
'At that stage, we were still unaware of who was being held captive. We found out about the two bodies in camp when the media published photos that the military had taken on April 27.'
Hartzenberg says it was the first time Kambako had been targeted in such an attack.
Communities impacted
When asked about the impact on Kambako and the Niassa Reserve, he answered that it was catastrophic.
'We employ 120 people. The communities financially benefit directly from the safaris that we conduct. Approximately 80% of all the meat from the animals harvested is delivered to the communities.'
According to a statement released by Chapungu, last season alone, the direct economic benefits to surrounding communities totalled around MZN 25.4m (about R7m).
'This includes wages, brickmaking, road construction, bamboo supply and other community-focused services. In terms of food support, 15 900kg of fresh meat was delivered to local villages. An additional 15 000lbs (about 6 800kg) of dried meat was distributed to staff and their families.'
According to Hartzenberg, the staff who were present during the attack are traumatised and afraid to return to work, although they are still supportive of the company.
He added that all the hunting operators in the Niassa Reserve do a lot for their employees and communities.
'We are concerned that without government intervention and protection, the safari season will not happen, causing hardship in the communities due to a lack of income.'
On April 30, an image was released on social media by Amaq News Agency, affiliated with Isis, claiming the attacks were carried out by fighters of the Islamic State.
Ongoing attacks
Beheadings and other atrocities by extremists are not new in the northern Cabo Delgado province. In September 2024, the Club of Mozambique reported that a man was beheaded in the Palma district. In the same month, Agência de Informação de Moçambique reported that jihadist groups claiming affiliation to the Isis terrorist network said it had murdered 70 people in 27 attacks against what it described as 'Christian towns' in the Chiùre district.
On April 11, Club of Mozambique reported that the government of the country was aware that attacks by extremist groups were continuing in the province, but 'assured that the situation is under control and safe'.
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