Government assists Zaka hyena attack victims

Sharon Chimenya, Sunday News Reporter
GOVERNMENT has extended a hand to three Zaka family members who were attacked by a hyena a fortnight ago while protecting their goats.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Cde Barbra Rwodzi and the Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Ezra Chadzamira, last Wednesday visited the victims at the Masvingo Provincial Hospital. The government is helping with medical bills, food and through Zimparks, handed over US$2 000 to the victims.

Deputy Minister Rwodzi said they were saddened with what befell the three family members.

“We have come here as a Ministry and the resident minister to see our fellow villagers who were attacked by the hyena, we are heartbroken by what we saw and as government we feel sorry for the family we saw inside there.

It saddens us because the human-wildlife conflict continues to grow day by day.”

Ms Munodya Muchanyara of Village Mapfumo, Chief Bota, Zaka who had recently welcomed a new baby into the family had both her hands amputated by the hyena and is having difficulties coming to terms with the fact that she has to now rely on other people to feed her.

“I want to thank the government for the assistance.

We first saw their hand when they brought milk for the baby and if you look at my BP (Blood pressure) cards you will notice that it is stable because I know that my baby is being taken care of.

Chandinodawo hangu maoko nekuti izvezvi kupakwa ndozvoda (All I need now are artificial limbs).

I am used to working for myself, I have worked for myself using hands all my life.

I am used to working for myself tending the garden but I want to thank you for everything you have done for me,” said Ms Muchanyara.

Mr Paul Munodya, brother to Ms Muchanyara said, “We want to thank government for the assistance.

When this incident happened we thought that since it was wildlife conflict we were going to cater for this as a family but we want to thank government because it has offered us assistance.”

Cde Chadzamira said that government is working on a levy that those who would have been attacked by wildlife will be assisted.

“The issues of human-wildlife conflict is on the rise in Masvingo Province and this is also due to the issues to do with climate change because animals are now encroaching to human settlements in search of water.

Most attacks are from crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes and hyenas. It is very sad that the whole family was attacked,” he said.

“Government through the Civil Protection Unit is assisting the family with food, it will foot the medical bills and also we will monitor their home because they are not able to cater for their wellbeing.”