Elephant Attack in Kariba: Woman Injured While Protecting Her Field

THE rise in incidents of human-wildlife conflict cases continues to plague the Kariba community following the latest elephant attack on a local woman. Reports emerging from Mashonaland West province are that a woman from Matumbu village, Chief Mola, under Ward 1 of Nyaminyami Rural District Council, escaped death by a whisker on Saturday night following a jumbo attack as she guarded her field. The victim was identified as Loveness Siavhundu, whose age was not provided. According to a local blogger from the tourist resort area, Siavhundu was attacked by an elephant Saturday night. A source, Bhibho Sigundu, explained that the elephant destroyed the makeshift field guard shelter while Siavhundu was inside. “She sustained injuries during the attack and was immediately rushed to Mola Rural Health Centre for urgent medical attention. Her current condition is yet to be established,” said Sigundu The latest incident highlights the persistent and escalating human–wildlife conflict confronting communities in Nyaminyami. On 7 January, residents of Nampese, one of the villages next to Matumbu, reported repeated elephant incursions into their fields even in broad daylight, posing serious threats to both livelihoods and human safety. Three reports were lodged with Nyaminyami RDC, prompting the council’s intervention. However, in line with established procedures, wildlife control measures could only be implemented once elephants were physically present in the fields. Villagers reported that the animals consistently retreated upon the arrival of officials, only to return shortly after their departure. Eventually, one elephant was shot, resulting in a temporary reprieve that lasted approximately one week. Last night’s attack occurred in Matumbu, a village located well beyond the designated buffer zone, heightening concerns over the expanding range of elephant movement into human settlements. Matumbu community is now appealing for sustainable solutions, timely intervention and comprehensive education on human–wildlife conflict mitigation. Residents have further expressed concern that, despite amendments to the Parks and Wildlife Management Act which introduced a relief fund for affected communities, there has been no community engagement to explain the benefits and access mechanisms associated with these policy reforms.