Edith Mugabe
Kariba–The Kariba community has been plunged into mourning following two devastating elephant attacks that claimed lives of two residents within the span of a week.
On August 29, 2024, a 47-year-old man named Scotch Gawa Mpofu was attacked and killed by an elephant in the Batonga suburb of the resort town.
The same week, on September 5, a 54-year-old woman Sinai Mpofu was trampled to death by an elephant in the Chawara area.
According to Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZIMPARKS) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo, the incidents occurred as the victims were going about their daily activities.
“In the first case, the man was attacked while coming from a drinking spree, and in the second case, the woman was part of a group returning from fishing in Lake Kariba,” Farawo said.
The attacks have raised alarm among Kariba residents, who are now being advised to avoid walking in bushy areas, especially along known elephant corridors.
ZIMPARKS has also tracked down and eliminated the elephants involved in the incidents.
Kariba Residents Trust Chairperson Munyaradzi Jokonia has urged the authorities to “expedite the finalization of a bill that would provide compensation for victims and their families affected by wildlife attacks”.
The tragic incidents highlight the need for continued efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the Kariba escarpment, which relies heavily on tourism as a source of livelihood.
