Elephant crisis in Dete’s township: Hunters called in

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.”