Warthog causes mayhem

Midlands Correspondent
July 8, 2010



Business came to a halt in Gweru’s central business district on Tuesday when a warthog strayed into the city, causing havoc as shoppers and workers from various companies went for the “meat” while others, mostly women, were left scurrying for cover.
The animal, believed to have strayed from nearby farms, came from the direction of the National Railways of Zimbabwe station and entered the CBD along 1st Avenue.
People started screaming and shouting:
“Bata nyama iyo! Bata nyama iyo! (Kill the beast for meat!)”.
On hearing the noise and screams from members of the public, the warthog ran through Kudzanai Long Distance Bus Terminus, sending women vendors and commuters scurrying for cover.
Some men and rank marshals tried to block the beast’s way while others gave chase.
The warthog then ran towards Gweru’s light industrial site amid noise from members of the public, some of whom were in hot pursuit.
The noise attracted some industrial workers resulting in some of them briefly abandoning their work to join in the chase.
When the warthog got near Kinsey Industries, someone struck it with a log.
Other people joined in and attacked the warthog using stones and any object they laid their hands on.
The group of people went on to cut the warthog into pieces and shared the meat among themselves.
When a Chronicle news crew arrived at the scene, the crowd had just dispersed while few people were still roaming around the spot where the warthog had been slaughtered.
“This is not fair. I chased the animal all the way from the city centre into the industry but got nothing. Some lucky people who had knives in their pockets just cut off their shares and left,” said one resident who only identified him as Mr Moyo.
Mr Moyo said only the fit and strong managed to grab meat in the scramble.
Another witness said it only took some seconds for the people to cut pieces of meat from the carcass.
The warthog was the talk of the city on Tuesday, with people expressing different views concerning the incident.
“It was a strange incident and this animal could be dangerous to people. I was surprised that some people were brave enough to chase the animal and even kill it without asking themselves where the animal had come from.
“Ancient hunters would know that only a hunter equipped with a bow and arrow would kill this kind of an animal,” said Mr Trinos Chengwe.
Mrs Veronica Shumba who operates as a vendor in the city said she was shocked and scared by the incident.
“I have never witnessed such an incident before. People must be wary of such incidents. How do they know it was really a warthog? How can they tell that the meat is clean?” asked a puzzled Mrs Shumba.

"When the warthog got near Kinsey Industries, someone struck it with a log.
Other people joined in and attacked the warthog using stones and any object they laid their hands on.
The group of people went on to cut the warthog into pieces and shared the meat among themselves."

Nothing like a good public slaughter to start the day. If Wartie's Mom could only see him now....

Funny story.
Thanks Kathi
I will have to remember this phrase "Bata nyama iyo!"
I always enjoy your posts. Thank you for being our African correspondent

Only in Africa. . . . .

Coming soon to a city near you...

A typical African story, it starts off with excitement but very soon descends into a Benny Hill farce, finally ending in tragedy.