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

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.”

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Police Hunt For A Nkayi Murder Fugitive

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

A Nkayi man is reportedly on the run after allegedly assaulting a fellow villager with an unknown object on the head on New Year’s Day. 

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Police have identified the fugitive at Joinisa Tshuma from Dabe village who is being sought for a murder charge. 

“ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Joinisa Tshuma who is being sought in connection with a case of murder in which Mcebisi Moyo died on 07/01/24,” police appealed. 

“The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim on the head with an unknown object near a bush in Dabe Village, Nkayi on 01/01/24 before he fled the scene.”

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According to police, the victim sustained some head injuries and he was admitted at Nkayi District Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

Meanwhile, Police in Machipisa are also  investigating a case of murder which occurred on Wednesday, in which a yet to be identified male adult approximately aged 30 years who was wearing a yellow t-shirt, black trousers, black gum boots and a black cap, was found lying dead with a stab wound on the back near Mapuranga Transport Service Garage in Harare. 

Police are also appealing to the public with information surrounding the incident. 

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“Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station.” 

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Full ZRP Statement on Armed Robberies Raiding Elite Schools 

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As the schools open, parents and guardians are in the process of paying school fees, levies and other related school costs, for their children.

School authorities are therefore urged to deposit all monies at financial institutions to curb armed robbery cases.

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The issue of collecting cash by school authorities at schools should be reconsidered given the recent armed robbery cases.

The Police has recorded armed robbery cases in Bulawayo and Chinhoyi in which schools are being targeted.

In one of the cases, unknown suspects pounced at George Silundika High School at corner George Silundika Street and Third Avenue, Bulawayo on 06th January 2024, where they stole US$17 280.00 cash which was in a cash box.

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In another case which occurred at Lomagundi College, Chinhoyi on 09th January 2024, 12 unknown suspects attacked security guards before stealing an undisclosed amount of cash, a Mazda Tribute motor vehicle, cellphones and laptops, among other valuables.

School authorities are urged to step up security measures at schools and employ guards from reputable security service providers who constantly monitor and review deployments.

Above all, school authorities should install CCTV at points of entry and administration offices.

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The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned that some of these robbery cases are resulting from leakage of information.

Members of the public are warned that those who provide inside information to robbery syndicates will be arrested.

Police crack teams are firm on the ground and will pounce on armed robbery syndicates for the law to take its course in earnest.

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ARTUZ condemns government for opening of school amid Cholera outbreak

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has condemned the government’s decision to reopen schools due to the cholera outbreak wreaking havoc in most parts of the country, labeling the move reckless and disregarding the pressing concerns raised by parents and teachers. 

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Statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care last week showed since the outbreak of cholera, Zimbabwe has recorded 15 137 suspected cholera cases, 1 759 confirmed cases, 14 578 recoveries, 67 confirmed deaths and 266 suspected deaths.

“We vehemently condemn the government’s reckless decision to open schools amidst the widespread cholera outbreak, completely disregarding the pressing concerns raised by parents and teachers,” reads the statement.

“We demand that the government immediately mobilize substantial resources to ensure the safe reopening of schools because our children deserve nothing less than a secure and conducive learning environment. 

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“It is the duty of the government to provide sanitary solutions and ensure the safety and well-being of our children.

The union also called on the government to consider an upward increment of teachers’ salaries, criticizing the government’s lack of engagement with educators, particularly regarding their ongoing demand for a US$1 260 salary.

“Also, it is utterly disappointing to witness such a hasty move without even bothering to engage with the educators who have been tirelessly advocating for a just salary of US$1260.

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“The safety and welfare of our students and teachers should be the utmost priority, but it seems that the government is callously neglecting this responsibility.

“It is high time for the government to prioritize the well-being of our education system and take meaningful action to address the urgent needs of our dedicated teachers. ” 

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