Woman loses hands in hyena attack

THREE family members from Zaka escaped death by a whisker after they were attacked by a hyena last week while they were trying to protect their goats from the predator.

Police said one of the victims Munodya Muchanyara of Village Mapfuma Chief Bota, had her hands amputated after the attack last Monday. Other victims are Robert Marove (37) who is husband to Muchanyara and Rwativenga Marove, father to Robert.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said the incident happened around 10pm on Monday and the family members were helped by other villagers who later came and scared away the wild animal.

“Marove heard his goats bleating in the goat pen at around 10pm and he woke up to check. He then found out that it was the hyena attacking his goats.

“The hyena ran out of the pen and waited a distance from the pen. Marove went in and attended to the goats and when he finished closing the pen the hyena rushed back and attacked him.

“Muchanyara rushed to the pen to attend to her husband who was screaming but was quickly attacked by the hyena and also started crying out for help.

“Marove’s father Rwativenga came out armed with a log but he was attacked and overpowered by the hyena.

“Villagers heard the cries and rushed to the scene. The noise of the villagers scared the hyena and it ran away,” he said.

The three were rushed to Musiso Hospital and the two Marove and Muchanyara were further referred to Masvingo General Hospital as they were in a serious condition.

Insp Dhewa said Marove sustained deep cuts on the middle fingers of both hands and deep cuts on the upper left cheek.

Muchanyara sustained a laceration on the thigh, deep cuts on the upper lip and nose and had both her palms amputated. Rwativenga sustained a deep cut on the stomach and his lower right arm.