The Sunday News
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
VILLAGERS in Zhombe and Melsonia in Zibagwe were left counting their losses after marauding elephants destroyed their crops.
The elephants, numbering about 60, have dashed any hopes for the farmers as they destroyed the little that had been left of the maize and cotton crops. Zibagwe Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Farayi Machaya said the elephants are believed to have escaped from the nearby Uwaya and Black Rhino conservancies.
“We have problems with elephants lately that are destroying farmers’ crops. Our rangers have attended to the scene and managed to drive some of the animals to the conservancy but it was a little bit too late as they had already destroyed a significant amount of crops,” he said.
Mr Machaya said elephants were on the hunt for food and warned villagers to be cautious as the animals can be a danger to people as well.
“Although we cannot readily quantify, but about two hectares were destroyed by these elephants which were more than 30. We therefore warn the villagers of the areas affected to be cautious as they might be dangerous,” he said.
Ward 1 Councillor Rangarirai Poshai said the elephants had given the villagers of Melsonia, a nearby resettlement area, a torrid time.
“They destroyed acres of maize crops and cotton, leaving most of the villagers stranded as they have pinned their hopes on the cotton plant that seemed to have stood its ground against the drought,” said Cllr Poshai.
