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Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
A PRIDE of lions is wreaking havoc in Bikita’s Mashoko area, targeting villagers’ livestock, with three head of cattle and 11 goats having been killed so far.

Masvingo police spokesman Inspector Charity Mazula said four incidents were reported between April 12 and April 30.

“I can confirm receiving a report of marauding lions which are giving villagers in Bikita sleepless nights.

These wild animals take advantage of the night to attack villagers’ livestock in their pens.

Three cattle, eleven goats and three ewes have so far been killed by the pride of lions,” said Insp Mazula.

She said the lions are suspected to be straying from Save Conservancy through a broken perimeter fence.

The police spokesperson said on April 12 at around 11 PM the lions allegedly invaded Gava Village under Chief Mabika’s area and killed six goats belonging to Justice Mwadaidza, 42.

Four days later, the lions invaded Taingofa Village in the same area at around 10PM and killed two head of cattle belonging to Maka Manyanye, 72.

Insp Mazula said on another day at around 10 PM Pindai Muneri, 57, of Museredzwa Village heard lions roaring from the goat pen.

“After the roaring had died down, Muneri went outside and headed to the pen where he found two ewes dead and one goat.

On the following day Fanny Masocha, 72 of Mataruse Village heard the animals roaring.

When he went out to the pen to check, he found a beast having been killed before another villager, Emmanuel Manyanye, 36 of Taingofa Village also found his four goats killed on April, 30,” she said.