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Mashudu Mambo
VILLAGERS in Matopo, Matabeleland South province, have reported encountering black mambas while searching for areas with better cellphone signals in the mountains.Bekezela Moyo, Councillor for ward 9 in Matopo, said the lack of reliable network coverage in the area forces residents to venture into mountainous areas to make calls or access the internet. This has led to several villagers encountering black mamba, a dangerous snake.
“Black mambas have become a threat to the community due to the poor network reception in the area. This forces people to climb mountains for better connectivity. There have been several reported cases of snake bites, tragically resulting in one fatality. Additionally, four people from the Dobi area suffered fractures from falls on Sotshe Mountain,” he said.
Moyo said the poor network infrastructure has hampered development in the area, leading many young people to miss out on employment opportunities.
“Because of the poor network connectivity, young people are missing out on life-changing opportunities. They often miss application announcements or see them too late to meet deadlines. Students are also impacted, as they can’t participate in e-learning initiatives,” he said.Moyo highlighted that they have tried engaging a number of service providers to deal with the challenge, but their efforts have not yet borne fruit.
“We’ve approached several service providers,” Moyo said. “They informed us that they’re currently in negotiations with the rural district council. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome.”
Silisiwe Mabaleka, a villager from Ntunjambili area in Matopo, said the community now fears for their safety due to the snakebite injuries that have hospitalised several people.
“For a long time, the lack of a reliable network has forced people to climb the mountains for better connectivity. Now, the presence of black mambas has caused fear in the community, as people risk their lives daily while searching for signals. This challenge has led to a number of people being hospitalized from snakebites, and tragically, some have even lost their lives,” she said.
Mabaleka called on the authorities to help residents overcome the challenges they face.
“We urge local network providers to prioritise improving network connectivity in our area. Additionally, we would appreciate any assistance from the Government or relevant organisations to mitigate the dangers posed by black mambas in these mountains,” she said.
Online Reporter