A PRIDE of 12 lions and cubs is wreaking havoc among newly-resettled farmers at Essenby Farm in Chiredzi where they have killed six cattle since last week.
BY PATRICK CHITONGO Own Correspondent
Chiredzi district administrator Clara Mzenda confirmed the matter yesterday saying the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority had deployed rangers to track down the lions believed to have fled to Arda Nandi Estate.
“I can confirm that a report was made to the effect that a pride of lions killed six cattle at Essenby plots.
“We have arranged with Parks officials and they were taken to the area yesterday by Chiredzi North MP Robert Mukwena,” Mzenda said.
The lions first pounced at Joseph Changwesha’s plot last Tuesday and killed three cattle and then killed Dumela Chauke’s three beasts two days later.
Villagers accused Zimparks officials of taking long to respond after they were alerted of the presence of the predators last year.
“We have been reporting the presence of the lions to the responsible authorities since the beginning of the year, but up to now the lions have not been removed. “Over 20 cattle have been killed since last year,” Changwesha said.
