Villagers in Tsholotsho Ward 3 have raised alarm over increasing attacks on livestock by wild animals, saying the long-running problem is threatening their livelihoods and exposing communities to danger.
The affected areas include Ngamu and surrounding villages such as Vozheka, Skwakweni, Nganyana, Zandile and the Ziga lines. Villagers say they have suffered losses for years and are yet to see a lasting solution.
One villager, Mbekezeli Ncube, said communities were struggling to coexist with wildlife.
“The challenge has been there for a while, and we are still trying to find solutions. Our area in Ngamu, Tsholotsho Ward 3, including Vozheka, Skwakweni, Ngamu, Nganyana, Zandile, Ziga and other surrounding lines, is affected. Wildlife is really affecting us,” said Ncube.
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He said residents were worried about the growing number of wild animals entering their communities.
“We are talking about elephants, lions, hyenas, zebras and wildebeest. These animals are even transmitting diseases to our livestock,” he said.
Ncube said wild animals were no longer being effectively controlled.
“There is the Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE), and there is a buffer zone. There are also two lodges in the area, but these animals are no longer being controlled. Our greatest concern is what efforts are being made to manage them. We are not against development because it is important to us. We welcome the safaris, but the way these animals are being handled is what worries us,” he said.
Another villager said the situation had reached alarming levels, forcing some households to abandon livestock rearing.
“This challenge is very old. We are badly affected to the extent that some of us are no longer keeping livestock. For some villagers, livestock rearing is no longer viable,” the villager said.
“The Big Five are killing cattle, and even animals that are not known to prey on cattle are now attacking them. One would think we are living in a game park. This is our challenge, and we do not know how we can be assisted, yet our leaders are fully aware of it,” he said.
Another villager, Thonisani Nkomo, accused authorities of failing to adequately respond to villagers’ concerns.
“As we live with these animals, we have leaders, but when we seek their assistance, they do not seem to understand the seriousness of this issue. As we speak, some kraals are empty. One villager can lose up to five cattle in a day. This is difficult and painful because our leaders are not listening to us,” he said.
Nkomo said uncontrolled interaction between wildlife and domestic animals was also affecting livestock markets due to disease.
“The law does not allow wild animals to graze together with livestock because of the diseases they spread. This is now affecting us because our livestock no longer have a proper market, and we are forced to sell locally,” he said.
Another villager said many residents had lost hope after repeated attempts to seek help.
“We have tried to come up with solutions until some villagers have given up. There is Problem Animal Control (PAC), which was supposed to control these animals, but it is clear that this was meant to mislead us because we are not seeing any action,” the villager said.
He added: “People have given up and are no longer reporting incidents because they see no solution. Those with means are even considering leaving this area to establish new homesteads elsewhere because the situation is bad. Our livestock can no longer safely access grazing lands.”
Reached for comment, Tsholotsho North Member of Parliament Libion Sibanda confirmed the challenge and said engagements with stakeholders were underway.
“The challenge is huge, but we are yet to engage all the relevant stakeholders to find solutions,” said Sibanda.
“The area is close to Mathuphula Hunters Camp. There is also Camilton Camp, Mathuphula Safaris and the council. We need to engage all stakeholders and understand what is being done under the Problem Animal Control programme. We are working on that and hope to hold a meeting soon,” he said.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Public Relations Manager Luckmore Safuli said the local authority was mandated to respond to such incidents.
Tsholotsho Rural District Council chairperson Councillor Rophas Ndlovu also confirmed that the council was aware of the situation.
“Council is seized with the matter as we speak. We are currently mobilising resources in conjunction with our partners, Mathuphula Hunters and ZimParks to deal with the situation,” said Ndlovu.
He said Ward Councillor Nyoni had been tasked with organising a ward assembly involving traditional leaders and villagers from affected areas to map a way forward.
“The affected villages, namely Thokozani and Vukuzenzele, are in close proximity to Hwange National Park, so efforts are largely focused on driving these animals back into the park, improving the perimeter fence and strengthening ranger response,” he said.
Ndlovu said authorities were also considering relocating some rangers from Tsholotsho to Siphepha Business Centre to improve response times as a long-term solution.
Residents, however, say urgent action is needed to protect their livestock and livelihoods, warning that if the situation remains unresolved, human lives could also be at risk.
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