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Cde Chinotimba

Liberty Dube Mutare Bureau
VILLAGERS in Buhera South and Central constituencies are living in fear of marauding bands of hyenas and lions believed to have escaped from the Save Conser- vancy.

The villagers have since stopped moving at night for fear of being attacked by the predators. Last Thursday, a lion was spotted around Rupanga Mountain in Betera and Makanyisa villages in Buhera Central where it killed several goats.

Betera Village kraal head Mrs Fainesi Chihera told The Herald that the prowling animals posed a serious danger to vil- lagers.

“We are worried that these marauding hyenas and lions will soon pounce on humans. A lion was spotted in this village and we are very worried. It has reportedly found habitat in Rupanga Mountain. We are in the process of contacting the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management to hunt down the animals,” she said.

Buhera South National Assembly representative Cde Joseph Chinotimba urged Parks and Wildlife Management officials to re-erect the fence around Save Conservancy.

“The wild animals are giving villagers sleepless nights. They are straying from Save Conservancy. A fence should be erected so that no animals stray into our home- steads.

“Villagers are worried. It seems there are people who are actually enjoying seeing these animals feeding on our livestock. They want it to look like Government has failed to find a solution to this problem.

“Parks officials should treat this issue as a matter of urgency,” said Cde Chinotimba. He said hyenas were now part of the village inhabitants as they had virtually camped in the area waiting to pounce on livestock.

Cde Chinotimba said villagers were losing livestock daily.

In 2013, hyenas went on the rampage, attacking several villagers in Mutiusinazita Village in Buhera South.