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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
HERDS of elephants have invaded Bulilima District devouring crops and posing a threat to communities. The elephants, which descended on villagers in Makhulela Ward, have wiped out crops in most fields.

The District Administrator for Bulilima, Ethel Moyo, confirmed the presence of the animals and said efforts were being made to control the damage.

“A report was made by the councillor of the ward that elephants have invaded the area. The National Parks department attended the area over the weekend and they shot one young bull in a bid to scare the animals but it seems that the problem is still persisting.

“Villagers are now concerned that the little crops that were spared by the harsh weather conditions will be completely wiped out by the elephants. The Civil Protection Committee is in the process of assessing the damage caused,” said Moyo.

She said elephant invasions were recorded in several parts of the district every year during this time of the year. Moyo said the invasions normally left villagers facing starvation after losing their crops and water. Headman Ndolwane, whose jurisdiction covers the affected ward, said the elephants which numbered over 50, were travelling in different herds. He said one herd would invade a village in one area while the other wrecked havoc in the next.

Headman Ndolwane said it was difficult for villagers to guard their fields as they were located far from their homesteads.

“Some people planted their crops in gardens this year as they’re located closer to homesteads than the fields. The elephants are, however, invading these gardens as well. In a bid to protect their crops, villagers are spending nights in the gardens. When the elephants approach, people make noise by banging tins and they switch on torches,” said Headman Ndolwane.

He said the elephants were devouring all kinds of crops in the fields. Bulilima Rural District council chairperson, Morgen Ndebele said isolated cases of elephant invasions had been reported in other parts of the district.

He said the elephants were seen roaming around bushy areas in the afternoon before invading fields at night.

Ndebele said the elephants, which were coming from Mabhongwane Game Park which is in the district, had become a menace to villagers each year. He said the greatest challenge faced by villagers was that the elephants were destroying their major source of income as most people relied on farming for their livelihoods.

“The elephant problem will worsen with time as the animals will begin penetrating other villages. In worst scenarios when people have harvested their melons, the elephants invade homesteads where they will be stored,” said Ndebele.

Villagers from the district often sleep in their fields guarding their crops against the elephants when harvest time approaches. They have been using fire and noise from tins to scare the animals.