Online Reporter
Yolanda Mlilo, Chronicle Writer
COMMUNITIES living along the Gwayi River in Ward 26, Lupane District, are appealing to the Government to provide essential social amenities such as clinics, access roads, and bridges, while also addressing the growing issue of human-wildlife conflicts that threaten their livelihoods and safety.
Villagers in the area have to travel long distances to access healthcare services at Lupane Clinic, which becomes inaccessible during the rainy season due to flooded rivers. With no local healthcare facilities, expectant mothers often resort to risky home deliveries.
The situation has worsened due to the dilapidated state of bridges linking the villages to Lupane Centre, the administrative capital of Matabeleland North Province.
The affected villages include Zikungwa, Masungamala, Hobho, and Mahlabathini, which are close to Hwange National Park. This proximity has led to frequent encounters with wild animals, particularly predators such as lions, which have killed at least 30 cattle since the beginning of the year. Livestock farming is a primary source of livelihood in the area, and these losses have left many villagers in financial distress.
Ward 26 Councillor, June Mpofu, expressed concern over the dire situation, particularly for pregnant women and the elderly who struggle to access medical services.
“Zikungwa, Masungamala, Hobho, and Mahlabathini villages are facing serious challenges due to a poor road network. One of the bridges linking these areas with Lupane Centre has been damaged, making it difficult for locals to access critical social services,” he said.
“When the Gwayi River is flooded, expectant mothers are forced to give birth at home, putting their lives and those of their newborns at risk.”
Clr Mpofu appealed to the Government and other stakeholders to intervene as a matter of urgency.
“This is an urgent issue that requires Government intervention. The human-wildlife conflict is worsening, with predators such as lions preying on livestock. Many families are losing their sources of income, and we fear for the safety of community members,” he said.
Human-wildlife conflicts have been on the rise in Matabeleland North Province as animals venture into villages in search of food and water, particularly during dry spells.
Authorities have urged communities to exercise caution, but without immediate measures such as secure enclosures for livestock and improved surveillance, the threat remains.
The Government has intensified efforts to modernise rural communities across the country as part of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which aims to improve access to social services in rural areas and achieve the national vision of an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
Lupane District has a population of about 107 000 people, according to the 2022 Census. The district is characterised by flat terrain dominated by Kalahari sand soils, making it suitable for dryland cropping and livestock farming.
