National

Zimbabwe sets up fund for human-wildlife conflict victims as 46 people die in 2022

Published

3 years ago

November 1, 2022

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwe has set up a fund to fund the treatment and burial expenses for victims of human-wildlife conflicts amid revelations that 46 people have been killed by wild animals this year alone.

Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists in Harare on Tuesday that Cabinet had approved the setting up of the Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Fund after considering the high number of people losing their lives due to attacks by wild animals.

Mutsvangwa said Mashonaland West was the hardest hit by human-wildlife conflicts as 19 people have been killed in the province this year.

“Cabinet adopted the establishment of a relief fund to cushion the victims of human-wildlife conflict by way of funeral assistance and an amount paid towards hospitalisation and treatment with a set limit,” she said in a post cabinet meeting briefing.

Mutsvangwa said competition for limited resources often resulted in wild animals killing people, especially in communal areas and towns that were close to national parks, safari areas and forests as well as other protected areas.

“Consequently, people living adjacent to wildlife areas are always in danger of being attacked by the animals, and it has been established that the frequency of such attacks is increasing,” she added.

“This year alone, as of August 2022, 46 Zimbabwean lives have been lost to human-wildlife conflict with the most affected being Mashonaland West Province where 19 people were killed, mostly in Kariba.”

The minister said human-wildlife conflicts has resulted in people being maimed, disabled or sustaining serious injuries.

Food security for communities has also come under serious threat due to the consumption and destruction of crops, loss of livestock to predatory wild animals, destruction and damage of property and infrastructure as well as exposure to zoonotic diseases.

Mutsvangwa also outlined strategies to reduce human-wildlife conflicts that included conservation education in the use of barriers, translocation, sterilisation and selective culling of wildlife, approved hunting quotas and fencing to restrict or control the movement of wildlife.

A specialised human-wildlife conflict unit will be established under the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

“The Fund is based on a self-financing model where proceeds from hunting and other crowd funding activities will be mobilised to resource the Fund,” Mutsvangwa said.

“The Fund will be extended to include preventative measures such as providing water in the game parks and enhancing grazing pastures.

“The Fund will also look at associated impacts such as livestock loss and control of wildlife and livestock movements to curtail the spread of diseases such as foot and mouth.”

Zimbabwe has the highest number of deaths from human-wildlife conflicts in the region because of large populations of wild animals compared to other countries such as Botswana, Mutsvangwa said.

“In 1980, Zimbabwe had reached an elephant population of approximately 50 000, while the human population was 7.4 million,” she said.

“In the year 2022, the (Zimbabwe Statistics Agency) population census estimated the number of people to have more than doubled to about 16 million (while) the elephant population is now estimated at more than 85 000, with other species also showing significant growth.”

National

Chidzivo, Waison take top honors at Vic Falls Marathon

Published

3 weeks ago

July 7, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.

Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on

The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.

Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.

Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.

In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.

Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.

In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.

The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.

Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.

Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.

https://x.com/vic_falls_live/status/1941861569450725776?s=46

Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

3 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

4 months ago

March 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

Mandishara, who worked for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), was on patrol in the Gatche-gatche area with fellow rangers and police officers.

At around 10 pm, Mandishara returned to the harbor where their boat was docked, and that’s when he encountered the elephant. The elephant charged at him, causing fatal injuries. His colleagues were nearby, resupplying at the Gatche-gatche Irrigation Scheme.

Mandishara’s body was taken to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and the incident was reported to the police.

ZimParks has sent a team to manage the problem elephant and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Director General of ZimParks, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, and his team have sent condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues. Mandishara will be remembered for his dedication to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.