In the community

Jambezi villagers send SOS as veld fire threatens homesteads, livestock

Published

4 years ago

August 27, 2021

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI /NOTHANDO DUBE

Villagers in Hwange’s Jambezi area are struggling to put out a veld fire that has been raging since August 19, leaving hundreds of homesteads and livestock at risk.

The fire is believed to have been started by suspected poachers in the Hillcrest game reserve close to villages under Chief Shana.

A villager Kachechete identified as Christopher Nyoni lost all his property after his hut was razed down by the fire.

A police memo seen by VicFallsLive says the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks, Forestry Commission and police were informed about the threatening fire, but they are yet to respond for various reasons.

The memo said Masikili villagers delegated one Christopher Ndlovu to make a police report about the fire after they realised that they had no capacity to stop it.

“On August 19, 2021 around 1000hrs,Christopher Ndlovu, a male aged 52 of own homestead, Masikili Village 1, Matetsi, Chief Shana, Jambezi discovered a veld fire at Hillcrest, Masikili area,” reads part of the memo.

“He advised the hunting committee chairperson Agrippa Ncube, a male aged 60 years of own homestead, and on 20 August, around 9AM, the hunting committee chairperson mobilized other villagers and went to the scene where they tried to put out the fire, but to no avail.

“Parks and Wildlife Management officials at Matetsi headquarters were advised, but could not attend citing distance and transport challenges.”

The desperate villagers also approached a Forestry Commission official at Fuller Forestry in Victoria Falls only identified as Mr Mutsvangwa, but they did not get any help.

“(The) matter was reported at ZRP Matetsi base, Jambezi by Christopher Ndlovu,” the memo added.

“Scene was attended, but nothing much was done to stop the spreading fire, the fire might have been set by poachers.”

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed that they received reports about the fire and they were trying to find ways of assisting the villagers.

Efforts to get a comment from Zimparks were fruitless as the authority’s spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said he was traveling from Harare to Hwange.

Zimbabwe loses swathes of forests every year due to uncontrolled veld fires often started by poachers and negligent people.

In the community

Human-wildlife conflict claims 18 lives in Zimbabwe’s first quarter

Published

3 weeks ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has reported a disturbing trend of human-wildlife conflict in the country’s first quarter of 2025. According to the authority, 18 people have lost their lives, and 32 others have been injured in encounters with wildlife.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo revealed that the authority received 579 cases of human-wildlife conflict, which they managed to respond to promptly. The incidents have also resulted in significant livestock losses, with at least 53 cattle and 85 goats killed by wildlife.

The districts most affected by these incidents include Binga, Hwange, Kariba, Chiredzi, Hurungwe, Nyaminyami, and Mbire. ZimParks has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about wildlife behaviors and effective preventive measures in these areas.

In response to the crisis, ZimParks has translocated 129 animals back into protected areas and eliminated 158 animals deemed problematic.

“We encourage communities to continue reporting incidents to ZimParks Problem Animal Control numbers and local leadership, such as Councillors, Traditional Leaders, and Rural District Council Authorities, to ensure that we preserve lives,” Farawo urged.

The significant increase in livestock losses, with cattle deaths rising from 18 to 53 and goat deaths from 21 to 85 compared to the same period in 2024, highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe.

ZimParks’ efforts to mitigate the conflict include community initiatives to educate people on managing wildlife encounters effectively.

In the community

Crocodile attacks claim 9 lives, injure 11

Published

2 months ago

March 13, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A surge in crocodile attacks has left a trail of death and destruction in Zimbabwe, with 9 fatalities and 11 injuries reported in the last two months.

According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), 49 human-crocodile conflict cases were recorded during the same period, resulting in the loss of 44 cattle and 60 goats.

The Mid-Zambezi region, which includes Lake Kariba, Angwa River, and Hunyani River, was the hardest hit, with 19 cases reported. The Central region recorded 14 cases, while 16 cases were reported in other areas, including Matopo, Harare, North-West Matabeleland, and South-East Low-veld.

ZimParks has urged communities to exercise extreme caution, especially around water bodies, during the current rain season. The authority has advised communities to ensure that livestock and children are not left unattended near rivers or lakes, and to take precautions when engaging in water activities such as fishing, swimming, and domestic chores.

To mitigate the situation, ZimParks is working closely with local authorities and conservation partners to raise public awareness and promote safety practices. The authority has emphasized its commitment to finding a balance between ensuring public safety and conserving wildlife.

As the situation continues to unfold, ZimParks has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and to report any crocodile sightings or attacks to the authorities.