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Sifelani Tsiko in Gwanda
Farmers living close to the confluence of Tuli and Shashe rivers in Gwanda South have expressed concern over elephants which are destroying their irrigated crops.

Mlambapele (Ward 19) councillor Thomson Makhalima said cases of human wildlife conflicts were on the increase, sparking fears that people will soon be killed if Zimparks does not help the community immediately.

“Elephants are coming from the Botswana side destroying our irrigated crops,” he said. “These wild animals usually come at night and so far the we have received cases from Mankonkoni, Sebasa and Rustlers’ Gorge irrigation schemes.”

The marauding animals, which include warthogs, baboons and monkeys, have so far destroyed wheat, maize and bean crops.
“We are appealing to Zimparks to help us now because we are losing our crops to elephants which target our irrigation schemes,” said Clr Makhalima.

Said Oscar Nyathi, a farmer at Mankonkoni Irrigation Scheme: “Elephants are a big problem here and we are worried about them because we are losing our valuable crops.

“We are facing a drought and if animals destroy our crops we will have nothing to eat. It’s terrible.” Nyathi said the marauding animals were now threatening their food security position in the dry and arid region.
The installation of a 99kv solar system plant at Mashaba with support from the European Development Fund has helped to revive irrigation schemes in Gwanda South constituency which were facing viability problems due to lack of power.