Mthokozisi Ncube
LUPANE villagers are living in fear as lions reportedly stalk their homesteads, kill livestock and threaten to turn their communities into hunting grounds.
The predators have been terrorising residents of Menyezwa Ward 14 since 2025, with the latest attack reported last week, leaving families counting their losses and fearing they could be next.
More than 20 goats and 15 cattle have reportedly been killed in the area, while some villagers say they have lost nearly all their livestock.
With the rainy season approaching, the attacks have left families staring at a potentially devastating blow. Cattle and donkeys are needed for ploughing, while livestock sales help pay school fees, buy food and meet medical expenses.
Village head Sabelo Nkomo said the lions had become increasingly bold, moving from grazing areas into homesteads.
“Initially, our livestock were being killed in the grazing lands in broad daylight, but now the lions are coming straight to our homes,” he said.
Liphasi Mhlanga, of Banda Village, said the community had endured the attacks for almost two years, with the predators now venturing close to people’s backyards.
“We are losing our livestock as we speak. They eat our cows, and some villagers no longer have cattle. The lions have started going behind our backyards. They will end up eating us as well,” she said.
For Moteo Ngwenya, the nightmare became real on August 3 this year when five of his cattle were killed inside his kraal.
“Livestock is essentially our bank. It pays for our children’s education, provides food and helps us get to hospital.
“This loss has been a severe blow to our family,” he said.
Ngwenya said the family had also lost a dog during an encounter with the lions.
Another resident, Arnold Ngwenya, said he had lost four donkeys, three cattle and all his goats,
leaving him worried about how he would prepare his fields for the coming farming season.
“Some of us may not be able to plough this rainy season because our oxen have been eaten by lions.
Our fear is that when they are done with livestock, they will attack our children who walk long distances to school,” he said.
The crisis has prompted calls for urgent Government intervention, with Lupane West legislator
Mxolisi Charles Sibanda saying wildlife attacks were affecting several communities in his constituency.
“In 2025 alone, farmers had over 150 livestock, including cattle, donkeys and goats, attacked by wildlife,” he said, adding that the figure covered reported cases and could exclude unreported losses.
Sibanda called for more personnel and resources to deal with problem animals, saying the council’s wildlife officer was sometimes overwhelmed and faced transport challenges.
He also said a Government fund intended to compensate farmers affected by wildlife attacks had not been operationalised when he last followed up on the matter.
Menyezwa Ward 14 councillor Tando Ndaba said fear had disrupted community life, forcing residents to shorten meetings to avoid travelling home late.
“My wish is that Government intervenes, possibly through compensation for those affected.
Authorities could also engage farm owners to put up security fencing between farms and community land,” she said.
Kusile Rural District Council human resources and administration representative Partnos Majoni said the council had received reports of the attacks and was conducting problem-animal patrols through its CAMPFIRE department.
“In July, through the initiative, a lion and a hyena were shot. As we speak, rangers are out looking for problem animals,” he said.
However, farm operators’ representative Joshua Tshuma said livestock deaths were occurring across the wider wildlife boundary area, adding that most cattle killed in their sector were lost on the farm rather than in neighbouring communal areas.
He said a former disease-control fence had been vandalised and its materials stolen, after which some cattle owners began taking their livestock onto the farm in search of grazing and water.
