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Fairness Moyana in Hwange

HWANGE residents have appealed to authorities to address the escalating human-wildlife conflict that has seen elephants imposing curfews in several residential areas, exposing mine workers and ordinary people to risks of attacks. 

Earlier this year, a woman was seriously injured after being trampled by an elephant as she was fetching firewood in a nearby bush, in the company of other women. 

The woman is still hospitalised at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, three months after the incident.

Residents who spoke to Chronicle said they were living in fear of being trampled to death by the jumbos whose presence near residential areas is now a common occurrence. 

The most affected areas are Lusumbami, Makwika, Ingagula, Lower Colliery and Airport area where elephants now patronise the places daily, felling perimeter fences and invading people’s homes in search of the mango fruit, which is now in season.

The development has seen Hwange Colliery Company and Zimparks rangers killing six elephants in Makwika, Railways and Ingagula last month alone as part of dealing with the conflict that has seen the jumbos invading compounds in search of food and water.

Daily, elephants are spotted in the railway area and closer to Lusumbami village while Ingagula has witnessed three shooting on different occasions. Property such as fences, power lines, water storage tanks and vehicles have been damaged as a result.

“It’s now dangerous to be on the streets after 6pm as elephants will now be roaming the neighbourhood, we are living in fear as they have literally imposed curfews. 

Hwange Colliery Company has put up signs warning residents of stray elephants

“These elephants are so daring that they actually move into people’s yards felling mango trees,” said Wallace Nyoni from Ingagula.

Trynos Ndlovu, a resident in Lusumbami village said the elephants had destroyed a perimeter fence and plastic storage tank at a local primary school as they raided homes in search for water and food. 

Ward 3 (Ingagula) councillor, Bryn Chikumbo confirmed the development arguing that residents were living in fear after elephants had imposed curfews,  destroying property such as fences and power lines resulting in the killing of four elephants.

“Elephants have become a menace in my community leading to destruction of property and potential loss of life. Damage and loss is left uncompensated,” he said. “For example, the destruction of vegetable gardens and of property. The destruction of power lines is creating a challenge leading to energy poverty,” said Clr Chikumbo. 

He attributed the spike in human-wildlife conflict to increase in mining or extractive investments such as locations of coke battery ovens. 

“The poorly sited extractive projects have disturbed the ecosystem by tapping into the water bodies ultimately polluting the water, making it undrinkable, which forces wildlife to draw close to communities,” said Clr Chikumbo. 

“There is a gap in awareness campaigns and capacity building meant to equip communities with strategies to enhance grassroots ability to tackle climate change. The elephants have gradually taken over Ingagula community. They often roam the streets after hours, making communities feel hostage.”

His counterpart, Ward 15 (Makwika) councillor, Elphas Owner Dhlamini concurred that the presence of elephants posed great danger to residents in his area.

“With regards to the Wild life conflict in my ward, this has become a serious threat, people are leaving in fear, elephants are everywhere, as early as 6pm they  will be a stone throw from the compound,” he said. 

“Curfews are the order of the day this side too. The major cause being the drought, which we are experiencing. There is serious shortage of food in the bush, if you are to look at these elephants you can surely tell that they are starving,” said Clr Dhlamini. 

He called on relevant authorities to react swiftly to problem animal reports while carrying out awareness campaign in affected communities to alert them of the lurking dangers. 

Hwange youth empowerment initiative, district programme manager, Mr Tinashe Matika, said workers were also bearing the brunt of increased elephant activity in the area leaving them exposed from potential attacks as they made their way home from work.

“Most of the workers from areas such as No.3, Railways, Ingagula, No.2 and No.5 walk from work since there is shortage of staff transport,” he said. 

“This puts them in danger of being attacked along the way as the jumbos are now known to camp close to residential areas. Mining is an intrusive economic activity that can drive development. 

“However, the poor location of current wave of extractive projects have brought a series of negative externalities whose burden falls on communities.”

Cases of human-wildlife conflict are expected to increase in Hwange district as climate change and mining activities force wild animals, especially elephants in search of food and water. 

Last year, a female security guard was trampled to death by an elephant while guarding a broken-down crane at Chaba Opencast mine.