Nkomazi residents use torches to scare hippos
MBABANE – A few months ago, residents of Nkomazi and KaNdeva complained of high crime rate but this time, they have a new type of threat – Hippos.
In a bizarre turn of events, residents of the Nkomazi area, located along the Nkomazi River, are living in fear as hippos venture several kilometres away from their natural habitat and wreak havoc in local homesteads.
These massive creatures have been causing significant damage to crops, particularly maize, leaving the community in distress.
The Nkomazi River, which originates in South Africa and flows into Mozambique, is not only known for its scenic beauty but also supports a thriving ecosystem, including a vast network of agricultural activities such as sugar cane farming. However, the presence of hippos and crocodiles in the area has turned its surroundings into a potential danger zone.
The recent surge in hippo activity has left residents of Nkomazi and KaNdeva areas on edge. These normally territorial creatures have shown a remarkable ability to roam far from their usual territories, invading homesteads and devouring crops. Authorities have warned residents to exercise caution due to the potential danger posed by these animals.
Interestingly, despite the nuisance caused by the hippos, emaSwati have chosen to embrace their presence by giving them individual names, as is customary when welcoming visitors. One particular hippo, known as Blens, has gained notoriety among the locals due to a unique mark on its forehead.
Mafobele Mavuso, a resident whose crops fell victim to Blens’ insatiable appetite, expressed frustration over the damage caused. Mavuso revealed that Blens was not only the largest hippo seen in the area, but also the most troublesome. Although the exact number of hippos in the area remains unknown, Mavuso’s mother attested to their abundance, mentioning that some of them even had young.
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Mavuso further explained that some residents were neglecting to fence their fields, inadvertently inviting the hippos to feast on their crops. This negligence has exacerbated the problem, allowing the hippos to freely enter the homesteads and devour the maize crops.
Local authorities are now exploring potential solutions to mitigate the ongoing issue. Efforts are being made to educate residents about the importance of fencing their fields and implementing measures to deter the hippos from venturing into populated areas.
As the community of Nkomazi grapples with the unexpected invasion of these powerful, yet mesmerising creatures, it remains to be seen how they will find a balance between coexistence and protecting their livelihoods.
In another development, a hippo is almost twice the size of a cow yet terrified of a flash light. Residents of Nkomazi have found a way of scaring away hippos from their homesteads, at least for now. The residents now use torches to scare the large animals away.
Several hippos are said to have been spotted at various homesteads and that some have young, according to some residents. It was gathered from the residents that some of the hippos now enter the homesteads in search of food, mainly crops such as maize. Mfanuzile Hlophe, the area’s Bucopho said many residents were concerned about the presence of the hippos, saying they complained of the animals feeding on their crops. Hlophe also said a meeting was held recently and commended that the residents were given tips on how to ensure that the animals were chased away from the fields without any danger to human life or that of the animal.