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Conservationist slams government’s plan to cull elephants

Published

2 years ago

September 17, 2024

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Zimbabwean government’s plan to cull elephants to feed starving communities has been met with fierce opposition from conservationists.

Farai Maguwu, director of the Centre for Natural Resources Governance, has spoken out against the move, calling it a “lame excuse” to justify the killing of elephants.

“This is not a solution to the drought problem,” Maguwu said. “There are many other avenues the government can explore to address food insecurity without resorting to killing elephants.”

Maguwu argued that the government’s reasoning – that Zimbabwe’s elephant population has exceeded the recommended eco-system balance – is a flawed argument. “This is not a new issue,” he said. “The government has always wanted to cull elephants since the 1990s, and now they are using the drought as an excuse.”

He also raised concerns about the international implications of such a move. “Elephants are protected by international conventions like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora),” he said. “You can’t just wake up and decide to slaughter them.”

Maguwu accused the government of prioritizing profits over conservation. “Once they start legitimizing the killing of animals, it will be a slippery slope,” he said. “Soon we won’t have any elephants left. And let’s not forget, minerals are being plundered in Zimbabwe, and once they start selling elephant ivory, it will be like blood diamonds all over again. The tourism industry will also suffer greatly.”

“The government is not thinking about the long-term consequences of their actions,” Maguwu said. “They are only thinking about short-term gains. Let the elephants live. They are more profitable to Zimbabwe alive than dead.”

The government’s plan has sparked debate, with some arguing that it is a necessary measure to address food insecurity, while others, like Maguwu, see it as a threat to conservation efforts.

As the government moves forward with the culling process, many are watching with bated breath to see the impact it will have on Zimbabwe’s elephant population and the communities affected by the drought.

National

Parliament moves to curb machete gang violence in rural areas

Published

3 hours ago

April 8, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Lawmakers are demanding an urgent security crackdown in rural constituencies following a report of nearly 1 000 violent incidents involving machete-wielding gangs over a four-year period.

A motion moved by Brown Ndlovu highlighted the “horrific terror unleashed by machete-wielding gangsters” in the Vungu Constituency of Midlands Province, where murders, robberies, and assaults have reportedly become a daily occurrence. Official records presented to the House show that 997 violent cases were reported in the Vungu district alone between 2021 and 2025 .

Hwange Central MP, Daniel Molokele, recently raised the alarm to VicFallsLive, following his tour at Inyathi District Hospital, where he revealed that the gold panners were now digging under the hospital and that most casualties and admissions at the hospital were linked to machete-gang violence.

Parliamentarians expressed sharp “disdain” for current judicial practices, noting that the integrity of the legal system is at risk . The motion criticized the fact that “suspects who perpetrate such horrendous crimes are often granted bail and allowed to return to the same communities where they freely continue to molest and intimidate victims and witnesses,”a practice they say grossly undermines public safety.

The House has called for the Zimbabwe Republic Police in rural areas to be modernized and properly equipped. Specifically, lawmakers are urging the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide officers with “adequate tools of trade such as vehicles, modern communication equipment, and weapons to wade off criminal activities”. Additionally, the motion proposes that bail should be denied in machete-related cases and that state witnesses be granted enhanced protection from “intimidation, retributions and retaliations”

Binga

Binga MP proposes split of Binga district amid service strain

Published

3 hours ago

April 8, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Member of Parliament Fanuel Cumanzala has formally challenged the government to explain why the Binga District, which now has a population exceeding 160 000 people, has not been divided into two separate administrative zones .

In a series of questions submitted to the National Assembly on Tuesday, the legislator argued that the current geographical boundaries, established during the colonial era, are hindering modern governance.

Cumanzala stated that his inquiry “seeks to understand the rationale behind the decision, especially considering the need to enhance administration, improve governance, resource allocation, and service delivery by creating smaller, more manageable units,” particularly as the area sees an influx of migrants from Gokwe and Lupane.

The MP also raised alarms over the “dire” state of local healthcare infrastructure. He specifically pressed the Minister of Health and Child Care for concrete plans to “permanently resolve the challenges faced by Binga District, particularly regarding the mortuary, which has not been fully operational for a long time”.

Further queries from Cumanzala addressed the economic transparency of the region, demanding to know “how much revenue is being generated from mining operations in Binga District”and how those funds are being reinvested into the Zambezi Valley.

He also sought updates on whether the government still intends to rehabilitate the district hospital to facilitate the establishment of a nursing school.

Hwange

Hwange man sentenced to 18 years for rape of 12-year-old niece

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A Hwange court has sentenced a 31-year-old man to 18 years in prison for the rape of his 12-year-old niece following a New Year’s Eve assault, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said.

The Hwange Regional Magistrates’ Court handed down the sentence after hearing how the man lured the child to his residence in Dingani Village, Dete, on the 31st of December, last year.

The court heard that at approximately 12:00 hours, the offender used a false pretext to get the victim into his room, instructing her to bring her mother’s mobile phone to help him with a WhatsApp application. Once inside, he forcibly pushed the girl onto a bed and raped her.

Following the assault, the man ordered the child into silence, but the crime was discovered immediately when the girl returned home in tears and narrated the ordeal to her mother. The victim’s family confronted the man and reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.

In a statement regarding the conviction, the NPAZ described the case as a profound betrayal of trust within a family unit.

The authority noted that the 18-year term was intended to send a clear message that the law would serve as a shield for our children, particularly against those responsible for their protection [1]. Prosecutors also commended the family for their swift action in reporting the crime to authorities.