BY WANDILE TSHUMA

In a bid to address the growing concern of human-wildlife conflict, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority yesterday shot down a problem elephant in Hwange.

The elephant had been terrorizing communities and destroying mango fruits, prompting concerns about the safety of locals.

Ingagula councillor Brian Chikumbo confirmed the shooting, saying, “We have been having some human-wildlife conflicts of late, whereby jumbos, more than four herds, have been coming into the community around 7 pm every day and even inside people’s houses. It had become unbearable, and very soon we could have recorded a fatality.”

Chikumbo emphasized the need for a lasting solution to address the growing concern of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe.

“We just want a lasting solution because we fear that one day we might have a fatality as the numbers and teams are increasing every day.”

Background: Human-Wildlife Conflict in Zimbabwe

Human-wildlife conflict is a growing concern in Zimbabwe, with recent statistics showing a significant rise in incidents.

At least 200 people have been killed and several others injured, some permanently, since 2019.

The conflict is not limited to human casualties; livestock and crops have also been severely affected, with a 200 percent increase in crop damage and loss reported.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A dire situation is unfolding in Dete’s township, where a large number of elephants are wreaking havoc in search of raw mangoes and water.

The elephants are destroying homes, gardens, and orchards, leaving residents in fear for their lives.

Destroyed mango tree

Ward 18 Councilor Stanley Torima has called for urgent action, and hunters are set to arrive tonight to cull the elephant population.

“I called the Hwange Rural District Council Environmental officer to tell him about how these elephants are wreaking havoc in our communities, especially in the townships such as Garikai,” Councilor Torima said.

“He responded saying that we should expect the rangers or hunters to come this evening to kill some because already there is a hunting group looking for elephants.”

The elephants have been causing chaos, especially in the township, with no house left untouched.

Even the St. Xavier Mission’s orchard has been completely destroyed.

“They are destroying gardens, the durahalls and people are living in fear for their lives as they come in large numbers to eat raw mangoes. No house has mangoes left,” Councilor Torima emphasized.

He clarified that this is not part of the government’s proposed culling program, but rather a response to the residents’ pleas for assistance.

“It’s not true that this is part of the government culling program, and Dete is not a hunting area, it’s just us residents who appealed for help because we fear for our lives and they are destroying our gardens, so this is to mitigate the impact.”

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

After a two-day sit-in at Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA offices), Hwange Local Board management and ZINWA have reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the handing over of Empumalanga Phase 4 Stage II water management.

This breakthrough comes as a huge relief to the residents of Empumalanga, who have been without water for eight long months.

“This serves to inform you that yesterday (27 September 2024) Hwange Local Board management held a meeting with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Hwange to deliberate on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties on the handing over of Empumalanga Phase 4 Stage II water management,” said Dumisani Nsingo, Public Relations Officer.

The disconnection, which occurred in February, was due to a standoff between the Hwange Local Board and ZINWA over arrears.

“ZINWA requested for the removal of certain financially related clauses of which Hwange Local Board obliged to. Thereafter, Acting Town Secretary Mr Paulos Mabhureni signed the MoU on behalf on Hwange Local Board and handed it over to ZINWA Hwange officials who advised that the document will be sent to their head office in Harare for signing by their Chief Executive Officer, most probably on Monday (30 September 2024).”Nsingo said.

But the impact was felt most keenly by the residents, who were forced to resort to drinking unclean water from ponds near sewer lines.

This has not only been an inconvenience, but also a health risk, as the water is also consumed by wild animals.

According to Irene Shangwa, vice chairman of Phase 4 residents, “For the past eight months, we have been drinking water from underground. We do not even know where that water is coming from, whether it’s sewer water or just dirty water. We just drink it.”

Some residents have been asking relatives for water, while others are selling water for $1 for four or five buckets.

The situation has been particularly dire for women and children, who are the ones who fetch water from the ponds, exposing them to other diseases. Last year, they also went for eleven months without water, drinking from the ponds.

This is despite Zimbabwe being a signatory to the UN Human Rights Council, which recognizes the right to safe, clean, and potable water.

The signing of the MOU is a significant step forward, and is expected to pave the way for the reconnection of water at Empumalanga Phase 4 Stage II.

While there is still work to be done to address the underlying issues, the residents of Empumalanga can finally see a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

As one resident noted, “We are relieved that something is finally being done. We just hope that the water is turned back on soon.”