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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
VILLAGERS in some areas of Bulilima district are now forced to sleep in their fields in order to guard their crops from elephants that have invaded their area.
The elephants have been reported in Dombolefu Ward, Bambadzi, Makhulela and Vulindlela Wards.
Bulilima Rural District Council Chairperson, Mr Morgen Ndebele who is also the councillor of Dombolefu Ward said several villagers have lost their crops to the elephants in the past two weeks.
He said in order to avoid further damage villagers were now guarding their crops at night.
“A herd of about 15 elephants invaded my ward recently and destroyed crops which were in the fields. Four villagers have been affected so far. People are now forced to guard their fields during the day and at night.
“At night villagers start fires at strategic points around their fields which they use to scare away the elephants. When the elephants come near the fields they bang tins in order to distract them,” he said.
Mr Ndebele said officers from the National Parks and Wildlife Authority and Bulilima Rural District Council recently visited the area and drove away the elephants but villagers are not taking any chances.
He said a separate herd was also reported to have invaded fields in Bambadzi Ward and Makhulela Wards where they also devoured crops.
A village head from Mbimba 1 Village in Bambadzi Ward, Mr Alfonse Sibanda said children were now guarding fields during the day after knocking off from school while parents stood guard at night. He said five villagers from his area had their crops completely destroyed by elephants last week.
Mr Sibanda said villagers were now afraid that they would lose all their crops to the elephants. He said some villagers were now forced to harvest their crops before they had fully matured in a bid to minimise loss.
“Five villagers from my area lost all their crops to the elephants. When the jumbos invade fields they destroy everything, leaving people counting their losses. The elephants roam around bushy areas in the afternoon and at night they invade fields.
“People are now worried because some of them lost their crops to excess rains. Now the elephants are posing a threat to the remaining crops. This will mean people will record a poor harvest,” he said.
The councillor of Vulindlela Ward, Mr Fanuel Tshuma said a herd of about 20 elephants was recently seen in a bush in his area.
He said they had not yet caused damages in the fields but villagers had moved on to guard their fields at night as a precautionary measure.
The elephants which will be coming from Mabhongwane Game Park in Bulilima District pose a threat to villagers during this time of the year.
Online Reporter