Video Exposes Shocking Extent of Chinese Logging in Mozambique. Exclusive Interview
A video, filmed on 19 July 2017 in Mozambique, shows a massive logging operation taking place in the country by alleged Chinese companies… exporting truckloads of juvenile trees (identified by their small diameter) which could lead to the “extinction of many tree species happening before our eyes”. So says Andre Swanepoel, who uploaded the video […]
A video, filmed on 19 July 2017 in Mozambique, shows a massive logging operation taking place in the country by alleged Chinese companies… exporting truckloads of juvenile trees (identified by their small diameter) which could lead to the “extinction of many tree species happening before our eyes”.
So says Andre Swanepoel, who uploaded the video to Facebook, where it has been viewed in a couple of posts almost 1 million times in just a few days. Watch the video here and then read Andre’s exclusive interview with SAPeople below.
Watch the never-ending yards of Chinese logging trucks at just one (of five) ports in Mozambique:
https://www.facebook.com/andreswanie/videos/pcb.10214052848620275/10214052840740078/
1. Where was the video filmed?
This Video was taken at the Vanduzi checkpoint, Manica province, by a colleague of mine in Mozambique. This was only “One day” of trucks. It is happening every day at four different routes to the various ports in Mozambique: Nkala, Pemba, Quelimane and Beira.
2. How do you know they’re Chinese logging trucks?
This is general knowledge in Mozambique… and the official export figures speak for itself (see stats graph below).
The drivers are generally Chinese and the “juvenile” logs on the trucks are (in this case) Mopani timber. Only the Chinese – there are many many, logging accumulation yards along the E4 and other port roads in Mozambique – buy this species.
I will be posting on google maps the satellite pictures of all the Chinese Log yards in due course.
3. Do you know where it’s being sent?
Generally 99.9% of this timber ends up in China or, more recently, Vietnam (other species).
See below Published Graph of Official Mozambique Export Stats vs Official Chinese Import Stats.
What the graph reveals is that the Exporters to China are under-declaring their Quantity M3 in their containers.
4. Do you know what the wood is being used for?
This information I do not know. (According to other sources from other parts of Africa where similar massive logging operations – often illegal – have been taking place, apparently wiping out vast areas of wildlife habitat, the wood is often used for making furniture: both traditional Chinese furniture – which requires hardwoods like the Mukula tree, which is most similar to the traditional Rosewood – and the ‘made in China’ cheap furniture items which have become popular around the world.)
5. What is the impact on the environment/wildlife with the removal of all these trees from Africa?
I am not an Environmental expert, but uncontrolled exploitation and over harvesting of any finite resource has to surely change the ecosystem drastically. See Government published Forest cover projection below.
6. What is your expertise, concerning this matter?
I am in the Timber trade in Mozambique and concentrate on manufacturing “Value added” timber products “in Mozambique” for local and export markets. We only utilise (selected) “mature” trees that have already seeded for many years and by their selective harvesting, open the canopy for the juvenile trees to flourish…
Our family has been involved with this in Mozambique since 1954. I cannot give you our company name, as this article will result in us being victimised by the relevant authorities/individuals in Mozambique who are benefiting from this abhorrent reality.
7. What does the Mozambique government say about the logging?
Many, many meetings have been held with the Minister over the years, where the Authorities always say the “right things” to the press and those at the meetings, but, unfortunately on the ground their promises of controlling the corruption, are not being borne out.
8. You’ve set up a petition – “Stop Chinese Forest Genocide in Mozambique”
Those of us in the industry in Mozambique are hoping that the petition will galvanise the Minister of Environment to establish a sustainable forest platform and get rid of the corrupt officials under his watch. Please see the link below and help us TRY stop this genocide.