Vongai Masuka

A woman from the Matumbu village in Nyaminyami Rural District is lucky to be alive after surviving a harrowing elephant attack on Saturday night.

The incident has reignited urgent calls for sustainable solutions to the intensifying human-wildlife conflict (HWC) plaguing the region.

Loveness Siavhundu was guarding her crops from a makeshift shelter when a bull elephant, known locally as a jumbo, reportedly charged at the structure.

According to local witness Bhibho Sigundu, the animal completely destroyed the shelter while Siavhundu was still inside.

“She sustained injuries during the attack and was immediately rushed to Mola Rural Health Centre for urgent medical attention,” Sigundu said.

While her specific condition remains unconfirmed, she is said to have escaped death by a whisker.

The attack in Ward 1 of the Nyaminyami Rural District Council (RDC) is not an isolated event as follows a string of bold incursions that have left the community on edge.

On January seven, residents in neighboring Nampese village reported elephants entering fields in broad daylight.

Despite three reports lodged with the Nyaminyami RDC, officials were reportedly unable to act until the animals were physically caught in the act.

Villagers noted that the elephants seemed to time their retreats to coincide with official arrivals, returning as soon as authorities left.