Online Reporter
Patience Ndlovu and Mkhululi Ncube
A 34-year-old man from Dombulefu ward in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, was on Sunday afternoon trampled to death by elephants while coming from Botswana.
The incident is another testament to the high number of human-wildlife conflicts that continue to be reported across the country.
After trampling the man, the elephants reportedly camped at the scene, which made recovery of the body a challenge.
Authorities only managed to retrieve the body on Monday morning.
Bulilima Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Mr Billiat Mlauzi confirmed the sad incident and said the Council will assist with burial costs as per its Human Wildlife Assistance Policy.
“I can confirm that we received the case. The victim is Sikhumbuzo Gumbo from village 17 in Dombulefu ward under Chief Hikwa. The incident happened near Gungwe Dam, about 2km from the Botswana-Zimbabwe border fence, around 3 pm.
“We suspect that the elephants were coming to drink at the dam and the victim was unfortunate not to escape as did his colleagues. The boys were riding two bicycles carrying each other and they immediately dropped off from the bicycles and started running in different directions thus, when the deceased was caught up by the scared elephants with calves, which started attacking him,” he said
Mr Mlauzi said the three colleagues who escaped reported the matter to the elders, with authorities being made aware of the incident.
The CEO said the scene was attended by game Rangers from Bulilima RDC, Zim-Parks and the council Safari Operator, Mvimi Safaris.
“According to our Human-Wildlife Conflict Assistance Policy of 2017, the council will provide a coffin and a financial contribution of US$250 to the family,” he said.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed receiving the report about the incident
“At the moment, we have managed to retrieve the body of the deceased and investigations are in progress. We are deeply saddened by another loss of life,” he said.
