Animals wreak havoc in Hwange

Villagers say elephants are destroying their crops while lions are killing their livestock.

Mabale area is adjacent to Hwange National Park and every year, villagers accuse the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority of doing nothing to protect them from the problem animals.

In a question and answer segment after an address by Umguza Member of House of Assembly Dr Obert Mpofu during a Zanu-PF rally at Mabale on Sunday, villagers expressed concern over the continued suffering they were experiencing caused by wild animals.

Dr Mpofu was in Mabale as part of his whirlwind tour of Matabeleland North province where he is holding rallies to garner support for the revolutionary party ahead of the referendum and harmonised elections to be held this year.

“Minister, we have a problem of animals that are wrecking havoc in this area. Elephants are destroying our crops and lions are also killing our livestock,” said a villager who identified himself as Mr Moyo.

Another villager, only identified as MaMpofu also concurred with Mr Moyo on the same issue and called on the Government to intervene to save their crops and livestock.

Some villagers said they had lost donkeys while others said they had lost cattle to marauding lions.

Dr Mpofu promised to take the issue up with the relevant authorities.