BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Residents of Victoria Falls are struggling to coexist with a large number of buffaloes that have taken over the streets of both high-density urban areas and low-residential areas.

The buffaloes seem to be everywhere, leaving residents frustrated and desperate.

Videos taken by residents and VicFallsLive, our media organization, show people trying to chase them away using sticks and rocks, but the buffaloes are undeterred.

This morning, three buffaloes blocked the road on Jakaranda Street, eating leaves from the trees and grass.

Despite the distress calls from residents, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) maintains that the buffaloes are within their habitat.

“I think we need to understand who is is saying there has been a growing trend of buffalos in Victoria Falls for an example, l think the numbers we have in Victoria Falls we don’t have much problems with them and this is what attracts tourists,”said Tinashe Farawo, Zimparks spokesperson.

“It’s a tourist town and one of the major draw-cuts for tourists is those buffalos. It is definitely their habitat that’s where they stay in the wild.”

However, residents disagree. They say the buffaloes are causing a nuisance and pose a danger to humans.

“We are working hard to make a living, and now we have to deal with these wild animals in our streets,” said Khulani Ncube.

In one incident, about 40 buffaloes blocked the road on Mkhosana Street near Kazungula Road, eating vegetables. “It’s like they own the place,” said Trymore Ndolo who witnessed the scene, adding that they might cause a casualty if action is not taken.

While the Zimparks says that the buffaloes are a tourist attraction, residents argue that their safety should come first.

“We understand that tourism is important, but what about our lives?” asked a resident.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

In the rural villages of Hwange, a crippling economic crisis and severe drought have left many young people struggling to find employment and make ends meet.

VicFallsLive reporter, spoke with Dumisani Khumalo from Chief Mvutu, who shared his harrowing story of attempting to find work in South Africa.

Khumalo recounted how he was scalded with boiling water from a cattle jar after a fight with other inmates over job opportunities in South Africa.

“In was in 2012.” he revealed.

“They accused me of infringing on their rights and failing to vote out the ruling power Zanu Pf,”Khumalo said.

Despite his traumatic experience, Kuumalo tried again, only to be deported once more.

“While in South Africa, l was deported two times after the arrests, and during the imprisonment all the South African inmates were always ganging to harm me and on the day, one boiled water using a kettle intending to scald my my face. They hate Zimbabweans with passion.”

Khumalo was saved by his other Zimbabwean inmate who warned him about the danger, and he had to cover his face with a mattress.

“He missed and scalded my shoulder.”

Now in his 40s, he’s struggling to find employment in his home country.

Another young person we spoke with, a 29-year-old Lucky Moyo, shared a similar story.

He’s struggling to find employment and support himself, even with his sister working in Botswana.

He’s finding it hard to make ends meet, and his sister’s income is barely enough to support herself, let alone send money back home.

“I am welder, but l was fired by my boss early this year in Victoria Falls after he heard that l was doing  a side hustle of welding during my off days.”

The situation is dire, with many young people feeling forced to migrate to neighboring countries like South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia for minimal jobs like security guards, construction workers, and maids.

They’re paid meager salaries, barely enough to survive.

We also spoke with a 24-year-old Ethel Mukomana who, despite having studied and obtained certificates in tourism and catering, has never found employment.

She’s now married, but still struggling to make ends meet.

The statistics are staggering. According to UNICEF, Zimbabwe has a youth unemployment rate of 35%.

The latest Afrobarometer survey found that 41% of young Zimbabweans are looking for jobs, compared to 26% of middle-aged and 10% of older citizens.

The number of Zimbabweans living outside the country is estimated to be over 5 million, with many seeking employment in neighboring countries.

“We just want jobs,”Khumalo said, his eyes pleading. “We want to be able to support ourselves and our families. We’re not asking for much.”

As we reflected our conversations with these young people, we couldn’t help but wonder what the future holds for them.

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A 37-year-old Hwange man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for stealing five cattle belonging to his mother, which he all killed before being caught by the police slaughtering another belonging to another villager.

Chasemore Ngwenya (37) fromMadumabisa  was arraigned before the Hwange Magistrates’ Court facing 2 counts of stock theft.

The National Prosecuting Authority says that sometime in 2019 and at Madumabisa grazing area, the accused stole 5 cattle (3 branded cattle and 2 calves) belonging to his mother.

The total value of the cattle stolen is$1 500 and nothing was recovered.

The offence only came to light on the 4th of November, at around 5PM when the accused was found by the Police at GVZ grazing area skinning another cow.

The value of the stolen property is $450 and nothing was recovered

The accused person was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment on the first count and 9 years imprisonment for the second count.

Both sentences will run concurrently.

He will serve 9 years effectively.