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Mkhululi Ncube / Lumbidzani Dima, Chronicle Reporters
A Nyamandlovu woman was on Monday trampled by an elephant and died on admission to Nyamandlovu District Hospital.

Ward 19 village head, Mr Nicholas Ncube confirmed the death of Mrs Cecilia Ndlovu (46) of Epping Forest Village Four.
“She was attacked while on her way to the headman’s homestead,” said Mr Ncube.

He said some boys who were in the bush heard Mrs Ndlovu screaming and rushed to investigate.

“They saw an elephant moving in the bush and when they checked where it was coming from, they found Mrs Ndlovu who was badly injured. The boys called the elders who rushed Mrs Ndlovu to Nyamandlovu District Hospital,” said Mr Ncube.

He said unfortunately Mrs Ndlovu died before being attended to.

Mr Ncube said they struggled to organise transport to ferry her body to her village until they were assisted by Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Cde Obert Mpofu who provided a lorry to take the body for burial yesterday.

He said Cde Mpofu also provided food for the funeral.

Mr Ncube said it was the first time such an incident had occurred in the area.

He said the only problem they have faced in the past was that of the elephants and other wild animals destroying their crops and killing livestock.

Mr Ncube said when wild animals like elephants kill people, the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) should pay the burial expenses.

Meanwhile, Mr Ncube said rangers had been informed of Mrs Ndlovu’s death and were hunting the killer jumbo that is reported to have headed into a nearby animal sanctuary.

When reached for comment, Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said he was waiting for a report from rangers on the ground.–@themkhust