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Conrad Mupesa in Mhangura
Farmers in Mhangura, Makonde District, have lost several hectares of crops to marauding elephants that stray from the nearby animal sanctuary.

Animals from Chenanga Game Park near Jechenene area are destroying swatches of agricultural land under maize, soya beans and tobacco.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has since been notified about the problem animals.

“The problem is perennial and, recently, three white men came and killed one of the elephants, but a ZimParks ranger said the animal was killed during a hunting expedition,” Mr Glimmer Mutsawo, a farmer from the area said.

“We lose our crops every year, but we are not benefiting anything from these hunting safaris, although the area attracts quite a number of hunters from abroad.”

Another villager Mr Jasper Mukandanwa said their concerns had not yet been responded to.

“We approached rangers from the Chenanga Game Park, but it seems as if they are doing nothing,” he said.

“Our social life has since been stolen from us as we take turns to guard the fields.”

An Agritex officer in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed receiving reports on crop losses from distressed farmers.

“We have heard of the reports and some officers will be visiting the area this week to quantify the tonnage that might have been destroyed,” the Agritex officer said.

ZimParks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo was not immediately available to comment.