Buffaloes, eland ravage crops in Hurungwe

Zim Now Writer

Villagers from the Nyamakate area of Hurungwe have lost substantial amounts of their maize crop to buffaloes and eland that have invaded the community.

The affected villagers are under Chief Chundu in Hurungwe North constituency.

Disgruntled villagers, under Chief Chundu in Hurungwe North, who live adjacent to a game park, said they were now living in perpetual fear of the animals.

‘‘It is true that we have lost our maize crop to buffaloes and elands since Wednesday last week. It all started with elands, but buffaloes have since joined in destroying our maize fields. We are appealing to authorities to help us before we lose human life,” said White Kachembere, one of the villagers.

Another villager, Chipo Shoshora, appealed to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to urgently asssit.

“These buffaloes are different from elephants which can be chased away through beating tins to make noise. We appeal to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to assist us as a matter of urgency,’’ Shoshora said, adding that she had lost almost a hectare of her maize crop.

The villagers last year lost maize to buffaloes.

Hurungwe Rural District Council chairperson Badwell Chasara said he was unaware of the issue.

“I am yet to be updated on this matter. Let me engage our officers so that they work closely with ZimParks to deal with the situation urgently,” Chasara said.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo could not immediately give the official position as he was ye to gather the details.