By Nokuthaba Dlamini
Two people have been killed in separate elephant attacks in the resort town of Victoria Falls, sparking renewed concern over the growing conflict between wildlife and communities living near national park boundaries.
The victims died last week in incidents along Kazungula Road and the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road in Chinotimba, within days of each other. Their deaths have left families grieving and residents fearful, particularly in suburbs bordering bushland.
In low-density areas on the outskirts of the town, where homes sit close to wildlife corridors, residents say elephant sightings have become increasingly common.
“We are living in fear,” said Nkosana Ndebele, who lives in one of the affected neighbourhoods. “You can be driving home at night and suddenly there are elephants in the road. Our children cannot even walk freely. Now two people are dead in just one week. It’s too much.”
In Garikai, a high-density suburb that has also experienced elephant incursions, residents said the animals were destroying crops and moving dangerously close to homes.
“These elephants are wreaking havoc,” one resident said. “They destroy our maize, they break fences and when they move through the location, everyone runs. We are not safe.”
Similar concerns were raised in Mkhosana’s Omfelandawonye area, where residents say encounters with elephants are no longer rare.
“We hear dogs barking at night and we know it’s elephants,” said Omar Chuma. “People are now afraid to walk early in the morning or late in the evening. The person who died near Chinotimba was on duty like any other day. Now a family has lost a breadwinner.”
Community leaders have called for stronger protection measures and support for the bereaved families.
Kelvin Moyo, chairperson of the Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association, said residents were devastated.
“We are deeply saddened about the two incidents of our residents killed by the elephants in a space of one week and we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families,” he said.
He added that the affected families should receive assistance, arguing that the deceased were breadwinners. “ZimParks must also carry the responsibility of the burial. We understand there is a provision to compensate victims, so our expectation is that their children should be helped to further their education and other dependents supported.”
He also urged residents to avoid walking at night and called on tourism companies to provide transport for employees finishing late shifts.
The area’s legislator, Vusumuzi Moyo, raised the matter in parliament on Tuesday, saying the issue extended beyond wildlife management.
“My issue is not merely about wildlife management. It is about national development, constitutional responsibility and ultimately, protecting human dignity,” he said. “In a space of a week, two families are mourning the loss of their loved ones.”
He called for the swift implementation of the Parks and Wildlife Act in communities bordering protected areas.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has not commented on the latest incidents. The BBC has contacted the authority for information on measures being taken to address the escalating human-elephant conflict but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Victoria Falls is internationally known for its tourism industry and proximity to wildlife. But residents say those living closest to nature are bearing the brunt of conservation pressures.
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