A herd of elephants reportedly destroyed a homestead in Mafa area in Lupane leaving the family homeless.
The incident happened in the early morning hours on Tuesday last week besieged the homestead and destroyed most of the structures in the yard including a two bedroomed house where the family was sleeping.
Fortunately, none of the family members were hurt.
Speaking to CITE, the owner of the homestead Bhekimpilo Nkiwane said the elephants left behind a trail of destruction.
“We were sleeping in the house when the elephants destroyed our house but lucky enough none of us got injured we survived but we lost a lot of property,” said Nkiwane.
The local Councillor Stanley Sibanda confirmed the incident when contacted for a comment.
“I was told about the incident last Tuesday but I have not gone to see the family house because I was busy, the people were very lucky to make it out alive there because the house was totally destroyed,” said Cllr Sibanda.
He added that he sent a report to the Forestry Commission (FC)and the Ministry of Environment but he has not received any feedback.
“I reported the issue to FC and the Ministry of Environment but nothing has been done. The problem with FC is that they do not act they just ignore the reports we send to them but people’s lives are in danger,” said Cllr Sibanda.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said elephants are causing havoc in a lot of areas in the country with Lupane being one of the most affected.
“The problems in Lupane are not unique we have the same problems in Karoi, Kariba, Hwange, Tsholotsho, and Plumtree. We face these problems in all the provinces countrywide and when we get such reports we respond within the shortest of time but the problem is most people affected run to the media before coming to us,” said Farawo. “We are encouraging communities that if they are animals within their vicinity the first point of call
