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

Two teenagers appeared in court facing theft charges after stealing a satchel containing electronic goods from a parked car in Hwange.

Godwishes Mpofu (19) and Gift Rabu (19) were arrested and charged with theft after they allegedly broke into the complainant’s vehicle on September 21 at around 2300 hours.

They made off with a satchel containing an Acer laptop, Oppo power bank, TP Link modem, external hard drive, POS machine, surge protector, laptop power pack, A5 diaries, Nokia C105, Itel Vision cell phone, and other items.

The police received a report and launched an investigation, which led to their arrest on September 25.

The Hwange Magistrate’ Court some gadgets had already been sold and were arrested as they were advertising the rest.

The accused were sentenced to 14 months imprisonment.

The sentence included 4 months suspended for 5 years, 2 months suspended on the condition that the accused pay back ZWG639, and the remaining 8 months suspended on the condition that each accused person performs 280 hours of community service.

The sentence was handed down, and the accused were given conditions to fulfill to avoid serving the full term.