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Zimparks warns of deadly attacks by wild animals

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) says villagers living close to wildlife sanctuaries must brace for more deadly attacks by wild animals because the reserves are now overpopulated.

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Tinashe Farawo, Zimparks spokesperson, told VicFallsLive that wild animals such as elephants and buffaloes were increasingly venturing into human settlements to look for food and water where they attacked people.

Farawo’s comments followed pleas by Victoria Falls residents for authorities to take action against the now frequent incidents of elephants straying into their yards where they destroy vegetable gardens.

“Our parks are overpopulated and that’s why we see more elephants now encroaching into people’s territories and killing them,” he said.

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“From this time going forward people should get prepared for more deadly incidences until the next rain season towards year end.”

Last week, an elephant trampled to death two villagers and injured two others in Gokwe district.

A village head from Mbire in Mashonaland Central was also trampled to death by an elephant while stocking sorghum at his homestead.

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Villagers living around Hwange and Zambezi national Parks say stray lions have of late been killing their livestock.

Other animals such as elephants and buffaloes are destroying their vegetable gardens.

They also complained that buffaloes mix with their cattle, which exposes them to disease outbreaks.

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Affected villages are around Dete, Tsholotsho and Victoria Falls in Matabeleland North.

Residents in Victoria Falls’ Chinotimba high density suburbs killed a buffalo that was destroying their vegetables.

The residents said they decided to kill and skin the animal because Zimparks was taking too long to react to distress calls about problem animals.

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On Tuesday night, a herd of five elephants was spotted in the city centre near the Shoestring backpacker’s lodge and night club.

Another elephant that was terrorisng Chinotimba and Mkhosana residents was gunned down by Zimparks rangers after destroying multiple vegetable gardens.

Farawo said the country’s estimated 100 000 elephants, mainly found at the Hwange National Park, must be culled urgently to reduce the population.

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The Environment ministry has proposed the culling of elephants to reduce their population.

Zimbabwe last culled elephants in 1988 but the exercise was heavily criticised by animal rights groups across the world.

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In the community

Relatives convicted of brutal assault of son-in-law over property dispute

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Bulawayo court has concluded the case of a 65-year-old man, Abednico Maposa, who was brutally attacked by his relatives, including his wife and three brothers-in-law, over a property dispute in Swart Village, Inyathi.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, four accused individuals – Sikhanyiso Zulu, Isaac Sibanda, Cabangani Zulu, and Lucky Zulu – were on trial for assaulting Maposa.

The State alleged that on February 9, the accused persons attacked Maposa with stones, demanding a fridge and other belongings, and left him unconscious with head and body injuries.

In conclusion, the Tredgold Regional Court Magistrate in Bulawayo acquitted Sikhanyiso Zulu and Isaac Sibanda due to insufficient evidence.

Cabangani Zulu and Lucky Zulu were convicted and sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, with 6 months suspended and an additional 18 months suspended on condition that they complete 630 hours of community service.

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Hwange

Teacher sentenced to 15 months for assaulting student with wooden stick

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A Hwange Magistrates’ Court has convicted and sentenced a 27-year-old teacher, Shyleen Nenduva, to 15 months imprisonment for brutally assaulting a 15-year-old grade 7 student.

According to court records, on July 9, Nenduva from Gwai, struck the student several times on the back with a wooden stick, punched him once in the chest, and violently pushed him onto a desk. The assault resulted in the student sustaining a swollen and painful right elbow.

The court heard that the incident occurred after the student misbehaved outside the classroom, prompting Nenduva to caution him. However, a misunderstanding ensued, leading to the physical altercation.

In sentencing Nenduva, the court suspended 6 months of the imprisonment term for 5 years. The remaining 9 months were suspended on condition that Nenduva performs 315 hours of community service.

 

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Hwange

Hwange driver remanded in custody for alleged beer theft

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

A 38-year-old driver, Munyaradzi Gotora, has been remanded in custody by the Hwange Magistrates’ Court on three counts of theft involving large consignments of alcoholic beverages.

Gotora, employed at Delta Beverages’ Hwange Depot, allegedly diverted multiple loads of Chibuku Super beer destined for Binga and surrounding areas between June 25 and July 9, 2025.

According to the State, on June 26, 2025, Gotora sold 1,189 cases of beer valued at USD4,451.62 and failed to deposit the funds. He allegedly falsified delivery invoices, presenting them as credit transactions with Gain Cash and Carry, which were not signed.

Similar incidents allegedly occurred on June 30, 2025, involving 866 cases valued at USD3,242.30, and on July 5, 2025, involving 1,933 cases worth USD8,779. In the latter incident, Gotora allegedly deposited only USD2,110, converting the balance to his own use.

An investigation into the anomalies in stock records uncovered irregularities across the three transactions. Police recovered receipts at Gotora’s place of residence, linking him to the crime.

Gotora is scheduled to appear in court again on August 14. In the meantime, he will remain in custody.

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