Lions wreak havoc in Chikwalakwala

By Mashudu Netsianda, Beitbridge Reporter

A PRIDE of lions from the Kruger National Park in neighbouring South Africa has descended on Chikwalakwala area in Beitbridge district where the animals are killing the villagers’ livestock.

Villagers told Chronicle on Friday that they were now living in fear, with some children no longer going to school.
Mr Jacobs Mbedzi said he lost two beasts after they were attacked by the lions last month.
“The situation here is terrible and right now I lost two of my beasts to the lions. What is more worrying is that the animals continue to terrorise us and the authorities are not doing anything despite the fact that we reported the matter,†he said.
According to villagers, nine cattle were killed by the lions in January with the number expected to go up if no measures are taken.
“Our children are no longer going to school because of the lions,†said Mrs Nomsa Chauke, a villager.
A resident Arex officer, Mr Clever Ndou, confirmed that lions were terrorising villagers by killing their livestock.
“One villager actually witnessed his beast being attacked by the lions and he had to start a fire to scare off the animals so that they could leave the carcass.
“The situation is really bad and there is an urgent need by responsible authorities to deal with this problem before the situation gets out of hand,†he said.
Efforts to contact the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority’s Public Relations Manager, Retired Major Edward Mbewe, were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered.
Meanwhile, children in areas which include Madaula, Tshipise and other surrounding areas under Chief Matibe area are walking 10 kilometres to and from school.
The only secondary school in the area is situated at Chitulipasi area.
Chronicle caught up with some children who were coming from school on Friday and they complained about the long distance they were walking.
“Everyday we walk a distance of about 10 kilometres to school in Chitulipasi,†said Nomsa Singo, a Form Two pupil at Chitulipasi Secondary School.
Villagers said they were appealing to the Government to construct more schools in the area. A number of children are forced to illegally cross into South Africa after completing primary school and the villagers have attributed this to the shortage of schools in the area.

I think this communal area is hunted by Alec Straus of Savanna safaris Zim.

man, this story really morphed!!!

How the resident indigenus African can tolerate their forced subjegation by not being allowed to own and use firearms is impossible to understand .......But I do hope someone does something about those vermin........They should sell a cropping permit.......

Conflict between wildlife and humans will always be a problem where stock and crops are backing onto wildlife reserves.
ozhunter