Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
ZIMBABWE National Parks and Wildlife Management (ZimParks) rangers have shot and killed two elephants in Beitbridge, which were part of a herd that has been destroying crops in the district over the past few weeks.
The worst affected communities are those situated along major water bodies, including the Mzingwane, Limpopo, Bubi and Mutetenwa rivers. The herd is also posing a threat to villagers, most of whom are now too fearful to move around at night.
The elephants are concentrated in the Zimbabwean part of the Greater Mapungubwe and Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs).
ZimParks spokesperson, Mr Tinashe Farawo, said teams have been dispatched to assess the situation and take action to control the animals.
“So far, we have shot and killed two elephants around the Mutetenwa area in Beitbridge as a means of controlling the elephants that had been camped in the area for several days,” said Mr Farawo.
“Our teams will remain on the ground, monitoring the situation in all hotspot areas where these elephants are commonly found during this time of year. At the same time, we are also carrying out continuous campaigns to minimise human-wildlife conflict,” he added.
“You will also note that our animals are overpopulated, so we need to find ways to coexist while ensuring lives are saved.”
He advised people living in the hotspot areas to minimise movement at night. If they encounter elephants or other dangerous wild animals, they should give them space to pass and notify rangers in their respective areas.
Beitbridge Civil Protection Committee focal person, Mr Jahson Mugodzwa, confirmed the development and stated that notifications had been sent to both the Beitbridge Rural District Council (RDC) and ZimParks.
“We have received distress calls from villagers in Mzingwane, where the elephants have destroyed several crop fields. Additionally, another herd is camped in Mutetenwa, and villagers are now living in fear for their safety,” he said.
“As the Civil Protection Committee, we have informed the relevant departments, who are already on the ground addressing the matter.”
He mentioned that five teams of relevant stakeholders dealing with wildlife had been deployed across the district.
Elephants have become a recurring threat to both crops and villagers, particularly those living near water bodies such as the Shashe, Mzingwane, Bubi and Limpopo rivers.
In separate interviews, villagers living in the affected areas commended the local Civil Protection Committee for its swift response in dispersing the wild animals.
“We are relieved now, as villagers, because we were living in fear of being attacked by the elephants. I hope that the local community leaders, including parliamentarians and councillors, will prioritise the affected communities during food relief programmes. Many have lost crops in their communal fields, leaving them vulnerable,” said a villager from Malala, Miss Remeketsi Mbedzi.
