The Sunday News
Sunday News Reporter
VILLAGERS in Kashamabe area, Zvishavane under Chief Mapanzure are living in fear after a lion was spotted roaming the area. According to officials, the lion was spotted last week by a villager only identified as Mhungu near his cattle pen as he was doing his routine morning inspection of his herd. Chief Mapanzure on Thursday confirmed reports of the lion spotted in the area adding that relevant authorities have been notified.
“People are not feeling safe as I speak because the lion is yet to be captured since it was spotted by Mhungu near his homestead. We have made reports to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority in Gweru who told us that they have sent in a team of rangers to track down the lion but we haven’t heard news of the lion being captured yet,” he said.
Chief Mapanzure said the lion has not been spotted again although its spoors have been seen in different parts of the area, confirming that the cat was still roaming the area. He said this was not the first time that a lion and other wild animals have been spotted in Zvishavane, although in previous instances the animals were spotted far from homesteads.
“Lions have been spotted before in this area and even elephants but no one has ever been harmed by these wild animals.
“Last year a lion was spotted but it was not close to where people are settled so there was not much panic. We didn’t even report the matter. What prompted us to report this particular one was because the animal came too close to homesteads and we feared it could harm people or attack livestock,” he said.
Chief Mapanzure urged his subjects to be on the lookout for the lion and not to attempt to attack it if they encounter it. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Ms Caroline Washaya-Moyo declined to comment and referred all questions to Campfire director Mr Charles Jonga.
