Feted Zimbabwe female rangers denied visas

The UK’s decision to deny visas for two pioneering female anti-poaching rangers to attend an awards ceremony has been criticised by organisers.
Zimbabwean Nyaradzo Hoto risks her life every day to protect elephants from ivory poachers in an all-female anti-poaching unit.
She and a colleague were due to accept an award for the team on 3 November.
But Ms Hoto’s trip, her first outside Zimbabwe, was called off after visitor visa applications were rejected.
“I haven’t told my daughter yet. I don’t want to disappoint her, she was so proud of me,” the 26-year-old whispers down the phone.
“It would have been my first time on a plane. She said ‘I wish you good luck Mummy!'”
Zimbabwe International Women Awards (Ziwa) created the Founder’s Award specifically to honour the unit known as Akashinga, which means the brave ones in Shona.
In a rejection letter, the Home Office cited Ms Hoto’s and Petronella Chigumbura’s lack of financial assets and property, suggesting they were not genuine visitors and could try to remain in the UK.