Madhuku pledges to end human-wildlife conflict
ZANU-PF aspiring candidate for Bikita East, Cde Johnson Madhuku, has vowed to address the ongoing human and wildlife conflict in the constituency.
In an interview, Cde Madhuku, a school head and president of the National Association of School Heads (NASH), said ending human and animal conflict was his priority.
“I am very confident of winning the ticket to Parliament and have lined up a number of developmental projects for this area,” he said.
“The on-going human-animal conflict in Ward 15 Nerumedzo is a cause for concern. Once elected, l will engage Government to ensure that the Save Conservancy is secured through fencing. Once villagers are attacked by stray animals from the conservancy, it will be pointless for parliamentarians to speak on community and national development,” he said.
Stray lions and other dangerous animals are wreaking havoc in the area owing to a porous fence.
Cde Madhuku said he will also embark on projects like water-harvesting, rural electrification and the construction of more health facilities in line with the ZANU-PF manifesto.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said human and wildlife conflict was causing them headaches.
“We are doing our best to address the situation in that area. So far Zimparks has established permanent bases for its staff in the constituency and there are no new reports of stray animals.
“We urge villagers in Bikita East to immediately report any cases of stray wild animals from the conservancy so that we may attend to them urgently.
“It is our standing policy as Zimparks to react within four hours once the issue of stray wildlife is reported by the community,” he said.