That conflicts over natural resources occur among interest groups is a point generally agreed upon by researchers. Often these conflicts arise because of the scarcity of resources. What scholars usually neglect are the strategies that threatened groups take to ensure continued access to these resources. In this article we show that interest groups look for support from actors who are external to their community. We use the example of Binga where the Ndebele, a minority group threatened with eviction from their area of settlement, solicit the support of regional politicians. In addition, we use the example of Bulilimamangwe where powerful cattle owners who are threatened by CAMPFIRE, approach the partly leadership the elders, for support against the local Council.
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