Chapter four

Data presentation and analysis

4.0 Introduction
In this chapter the research findings will be analyzed by means of tables, bar graghs and
pie charts. The analysis of the concepts reviewed in chapter two will done. Both the
quantitative means and qualitative means of analysis will be employed and content
analysis that took into consideration the objectives of the research will be done.

4.1 Response rate of the research.

Twenty people were targeted as the population sample for the research and a sample size
of sixteen responded giving the overall response rate of eighty percent. Five
questionnaires were sent to the security management of Wattle Company and three
questionnaires were responded to make a response rate of sixty percent. Fifteen
questionnaires were sent to Wattle Company employees in the security department and
thirteen questionnaires were responded to make a response rate of eighty six point seven
percent.

The researcher planned for eighty interviews in which six of them was successfully
carried and response rate of seventy five percent. Two of the other interviews were
unsuccessful and this constitutes the remaining twenty five percent. These responses are
tabulated below
Table 4.1 (a) Response rate for questionnaires.
Respondents No of questionnaires sent out Response Response rate
Security managers 5 3 60 %
Security dept workers 15 13 86.7 %
Total 20 16 80 %
Source: primary survey.

Table 4.1 (b) Response rate for interviews.

Interviews conducted successful unsuccessful Response rate
8 6 0 75 %
8 0 2 25%

4.2 Demographic data.

(a). Age and gender
From a total of sixteen respondents, thirteen (81.25 %) were male and three (18.75 %)
were female. There was no respondents below twenty years. At the age rage range of
twenty to thirty years there were nine respondents which is 56.25 % of the total
respondents. Seven (77.8 %) of them were male and two (22.2 %) were female. At the
age range of thirty to forty years there were six respondents (37.5 %) of the total
respondents, five (83 %) were male and one (17 %) was female. And at the age range of
forty years and above there was only one (6.25 %) respondent of the total respondents
and was male.

Table 4.2 (a) Respondents by age and gender.

Age Below 20years 20 – 30 years 30 – 40 years 40 + years Total
Male 0 7 5 1 13
Female 0 2 1 0 3
Total 0 9 6 1 16
Source: Primary survey.

Table 4.2 (b) Respondents by age and gender.

Age Below 20years 20 – 30 years 30 – 40 years 40 + years Total
Male 0% 77.8 % 83 % 100 % 81.25 %
Female 0% 22.2 % 17 % 0% 18.75 %
Total 0% 56.25 % 37.5 % 6.25 % 100 %
Source: Primary survey.

(b). Education level of respondents.

One (6.25 %) of the respondents had attended primary school and six (37.5 %)
respondents attended secondary school. Nine (56.25 %) had tertiary education. See Table
4.2 (b).

Table 4.2 (b). Education level of respondents.

Variable None Primary Secondary Tertiary Total
Frequency 0 1 6 9 16
Percentage 0 6.25 % 37.5 % 56.25 % 100 %
Source: Primary survey.

4.3. Timber production in Zimbabwe.

From the sixteen respondents fifteen of them agreed that the timber industry is
experiencing a decline in production output. They explained that this was due to some
damages which were caused by wild fires, animal damages and some timber poaching in
the plantations. They added that something should be done or else the country’s timber
industry will continue to decline.

4.4. Objective one: Identify challenges faced on

managing plantation security systems of a timber
producing company.
This was one of the core reasons of conducting this research because knowing the
challenges faced on managing the plantation security systems of a timber producing
company will answer the researcher’s statement of problem. The researcher questioned
the respondents to find out their opinion on the challenges faced. Generally the
respondents highlighted that the timber producing companies were facing political,
economic, social and environmental challenges.

Table 4.4 (a). Challenges faced on managing plantation security system.

Political Social Economic Environmental
Response in favor 16 15 12 9
Response rate 30.76% 28.85 % 23.08 % 17.31 %
Source: Primary survey

Fig 4.4 (a). Challenges faced on managing plantation security system.

35.00%

30.00%

25.00%

20.00%

15.00%

10.00%

5.00%

0.00%
political social economic environmental

4.4.1. Political challenges.

From the respondents the researcher found out that 30.76% of the respondents viewed
political challenges as the most contributing factor to the destruction of timber plantations
in Zimbabwe. Due to the political instability in Zimbabwe many timber producing
companies have been experiencing so many uncontrolled fires from the political activists.

Kanyekanye, (2008), stated that, the political activists burned plantations in the process
of clearing land for farming. The illegal settlers also let their livestock into the young
plantations leading to their damage. They would sometimes cut tree branches of the
timber plantations for fodder of their animals.

Also as a result of political instability the country have been isolated by some of the
international countries. Since the forestry companies rely heavily on international
companies for their inputs, they faced a great challenge in buying the equipment required
in the protection of their plantations.

It is because of political challenges that contributed to the shrunk of the Zimbabwean

economic, resulting in so many companies closing their operations. This also affected the
security management of the timber plantations since the companies had nowhere to buy
the necessary equipment here in Zimbabwe.

Zaikowski, (2008), also noted that political instability has forced many institutions to
close for a long period. One consequence of this is that there will be acute shortage oof
trained forestry practitioners. Without enough trained workers in the security departments
of the timber producing companies, the plantations will be at mercy of fire, theft and
animal damages.

4.4.2. Social challenges.

On social challenges there was 28.85% response rate. The respondents viewed social
challenges as the second contributing factor to the destruction of the timber plantations in
Zimbabwe. It was discovered that many plantation fires arise from conflicts between the
neighboring society and the timber producing companies.

The conflicts include: conflicts over land ownership, the society believed that the land on
which the plantations are on belongs to their ancestors. The villagers feel that they can
face a shortage for land for farming while the land belonging to their ancestors is being
used by other people for business.
There are also some conflicts over the use of resources such as dams. In some cases the
villagers are not allowed access into the plantations and this means that they are deprived
of using the forests for recreational purposes. To show disapproval of this they usually
burn those timber plantations.

In some cases conflicts over grazing areas arise between the plantation owners and the
society. For example the villagers may not allow the foresters to replant in a certain area
because they will be using it as their grazing pasture. As way of showing their
unhappiness they turn to burn the planted areas and sometimes cut tree branches for
fodder of their livestock.

The villagers sometimes turn to timber poaching for the construction of their houses,
kraals, fences and so on. They also cut trees in the plantations for firewood in areas where
there are shortages of firewood.

4.4.3. Economic challenges.

23.08% of the total respondents viewed economic challenges as the third contribution to
the damages and losses on the timber plantations. Economic instability in Zimbabwe has
caused many companies to close their operations. This resulted in an increase in the level
of unemployment. Due to unemployment people are doing whatever they think will make
them survive.

Those people living in the boundaries of the timber plantation have been burning
plantations as a way of creating employment in the fire suppression and subsequent
replanting. Some people are living in absolute poverty as they can hardly afford basic
food requirements as a result they are turning to timber poaching as a way of survival
through selling the timber.

Hyper inflation in the recent years forced many experienced workers in all industries
including the forestry industry to leave their employment in search for greener pastures
elsewhere. This loss of workers meant that the security departments in the timber
producing companies were left with unskilled workforce who had very little knowledge
of how to protect the plantations from some damages.

4.4.4. Environmental challenges.

Environmental challenges were supported as the fourth contributing factor to the decline
in the timber production in Zimbabwe. It was stated that most of the plantations are
located at the exit points to Mozambique. As people are traveling to Mozambique they
make some cooking fire, throw away smoking cigarettes and so on which in many cases
result in plantation fires.

It was also discovered that the recurring droughts in Zimbabwe are causing a tremendous
threat to the timber production. Without enough water it is very difficult to replant and
failure to replant will mean that there is going to be a time in the future where there will
be a shortage of timber. Floods from the cyclones in year 2000 has caused a great damage
to timber plantations as many trees were uprooted and others damaged by the strong
winds

The terrain in the eastern highlands where 90% of the timber plantations are located has
great effects on fire behavior. Fire spread much more quickly uphill than along flat lands.
The steepness of the are also affect the speed of the firefighting teams. Roads are
sometimes affected by erosion.

4.5. Objective two: Investigate how the plantation

security system for a timber producing company
operates.

According to Schulthers and Summer, (1999), a system is an integrated set of

components or entities, that interact to achieve particular function or goal. A system has
characteristics such as boundaries, outputs and inputs, methods of converting inputs into
outputs and system interfaces.
From the research it was discovered that the plantation security system constitutes
inputs, processing and outputs.

4.5.1 Inputs.
The inputs of the plantation security system consist of employees, the community,
neighboring companies, equipment and machinery.

Employees.
The security departments have their own employees responsible for protecting timber
plantations from any danger. However in the event that a fire arises in the plantation all
the employees including those from other departments should cooperate in the
firefighting. From the security department we do have some trained and experienced
foresters who patrols the plantations during the day using motorbikes. Ther main
intention will be to detect any threat on the plantations before it causes a great harm to
the plantation. There are also trained firefighters whose main responsibility is to deal with
any fire that occur in the plantations. They make use of fire tenders and other firefighting
equipments.

The community.
Key communities are those with access to the area to hunt and collect forestry produce, or
simply because they are close to the plantations boundaries. The community are also a
part of the plantation security system because sometimes fire starts at the plantation
boundaries where the villagers are located. To reduce the damage as the firefighting team
will be coming from the depot, the villagers can fight the fire instead.

Neighboring companies.
Most fires starts outside concessions and enter as wildfires. It is essential if security
management is to be successful, that neighboring companies cooperate and coordinate to
protect their areas from fire, animals and theft. All companies in the timber industry of
Zimbabwe are facing the same challenges so they need to work together for them to
prosper.

Equipment and machinery.

The timber producing companies should buy the necessary equipment and machinery to
be used in the protection program. Fire tenders, motorbikes, binoculars, cameras, and so
on should be invested in. Without enough equipment and machinery the security system
will have a lot of loopholes with which the threats can use to damage the plantations.

4.5.2 Processing.
Observations.
The foresters will be patrolling using motorbikes, binoculars, lookout towers,
surveillance cameras and so on for early detection of the threats before they pose a great
damage on the timber plantations. Observation was viewed as the most important aspect
in the system.

Communication.
In the observation process, if the foresters detect any threat they should communicate it
quickly to the depot. The foresters should have two way radios which are used to
communicated with others at different locations. Bells and sirens can also be used as a
general communication for nearby threats. The security team should always be prepared.

Protection.
In some cases a threat may enter the plantation without being detected and cause a great
damage to the plantation. As the managers anticipate damage from any of the discussed
threats at any time, they are then forced to put some protection measures to reduce the
effects of the threats. This is the main reason for the construction of firebreaks,
fuelbreaks, security fence, and the employment of security guards.

Action.
Through patrols, lookout towers, binoculars and surveillance cameras the foresters make
observations of the plantations. When the threat is detected it should be communicated to
all the people in the system and the necessary action must be taken immediately. If it is
the fire outbreak, people should fight the fire; wild animals must be chased away from
plantation and thieves arrested.

4.5.3 Output.
The output of the plantation security system of a timber producing company is the timber
output at the end of a period. If the system is effective it should reduce the loss caused by
fire and animal damages as well as by theft.

4.6. Objective three: identify major threats on the

plantation security system of a timber producing
company.
From the research it was discovered that fire, animals and theft are the major threats on
plantation security. The combination of these three threats usually affects the production
of timber.
Table 4.6 (a) Threats on the plantation security.
Variables Fire Animals Thieves
Response In favor 16 7 5
Response rate 57.14% 25% 17.86%
Source: secondary data.

Fig 4.6 (a). Threats on the plantation security.

 60.00%

50.00%

40.00%

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%

0.00%
fire animals thieves

Fire
Fire was most supported as the major threat on the plantation security system with a
response rate of 57.14%. The greatest danger from fire is while a plantation is young and
during the dry seasons. Forest fires can range from slow-moving flames that may not
damage older well managed trees to “crown” fires which leave only charred stems and
branches.

Animals.
Another group of respondents which constitutes 25% was in favour of animal damages.
The damage by animals was grouped in two; wild animals and domestic animals. Wild
animals that impose greatest harm in the timber plantations in Zimbabwe are the baboons.
Baboons destroy young plantations in search of food. Livestock from the neighboring
communities also damage timber plantations.

Theft.
Theft received 17.86% response rate. It was stated that people usually turn to timber
poaching for the construction of houses, kraals and fences. Shortage firewood sometimes
causes people to cut trees from the plantations. It has been argued that there are some
people in the neighboring communities who have turned to timber poaching as a way to
survive.

4.6.2. Causes of fire.

From the research it was discovered that fire can originates from natural causes such as
lightning, but many occur as a result of activities from man. Lightning may cause a fire
outbreak but the effect is usually very low due to the fact that the fire will suddenly be
extinguished by the rainfalls. As noted by the number of respondents, human causes
constitutes 16.2% of the total respondents.

Table 4.6.2 (a) Causes of fire.

Causes of fire Human causes Natural causes
Respondents in favour 16 5
Response rate 76.2% 23.8%
Source: Secondary data

Fig 4.6.2 (a) Human and natural causes of fire

human
natural

4.6.3. Accidental or deliberate causes of fire.

People can cause fire accidentally or deliberately. Accidental causes usually are as a
result of carelessness by workers, farmers, hunters and other trespassers like border
jumpers who may leave their smoking stubs and cooking fires to result in wild fires.
Accidental cause constitutes 44.4% of the total respondents.
55.6% of the respondents were in favour of deliberate cause of plantation fires. It is
argued that most of the plantation fires are as a result of deliberate causes. Villagers
usually turn to plantation burning to show disapproval of the plantation policies,
employment creation and other thing Workers also burn plantation as a way to air their
grievances to management on issues concerning wages and working conditions. There
also cases of political activists who burned timber plantations to clear land for farming.

Table 4.6.3 (a) Accidental or deliberate causes of fire

Causes Deliberate Accidental
Response in favour 15 12
Response rate 55.6% 44.4%
Source: secondary data

Fig 4.6.3 (a) accidental or deliberate causes of fire

60.00%

50.00%

40.00%

30.00%

20.00%

10.00%
0.00%
deliberate accidental

4.7. Objective Four: identify the loopholes of the

system and come up with some recommendations.
Because of political and economic instability in Zimbabwe, many timber producing
companies were unable to purchase all the necessary equipment and machinery needed
for the protection of the plantations. Due to inflation importing equipment from outside
Zimbabwe was very expensive as a result many companies in the timber industry were
operating without enough equipment and machinery to protect their plantations.

The security managers agued that the plantations are too large to be fenced or to employ
security guards. In Indonesia they have fenced their plantations though they are very
large to reduce trespassing of animals. Security guards are also employed in areas where
there are no security fence. On top of that foresters patrol inside the plantations for early
detection of threats.

Because our Zimbabwean companies want to cut cost, companies like Wattle Company,
Border Timbers Limited and Mutare Board and Paper Mills have retrenched so many
employees including those from the security department. Without enough employees the
timber plantations can not have enough protection.

The system did not allow full participation of the neighboring communities. Participation
does not simply mean posting signs that request care as fire danger rises, but the
employment of local villagers as prevention aides. The route to success is to compensate
local communities to prevent fires, as well as paying them to form volunteers fire crews.
This will reduce the issue of deliberate burning for employment creation since the
communities will now receive some salaries. As the companies want to cut costs they do
not take the community into account.

4.8. Chapter summary

The chapter looked at the findings of the research in relation to the objectives of the study
which are: to identify challenges faced in managing the plantation security system of a
timber producing company, to investigate how the plantation security system of a timber
producing company operates, to identify threats on the security of timber plantations, and
to identify loopholes of the systems and come up with recommendations.