By Netsai Muleya

Residents in Hwange are living in fear of a herd of elephants that invade their homes at night in search of food and water.
The herd of elephants which move in a group of five have been roaming around the Number 1 residential area.
According to residents elephants have been frequenting houses and small water bodies destroying fences and mango fruits while endangering human life.
“Currently locals claimed the Jumbos are encroaching through Lwendulu village in search of mangoes. We are afraid to hold night prayers since the elephants pass through our churches going to N Section in search of food and at times they even patrol D Sections,” said a resident.
The Jumbos are also a danger to workers on night shift who end their duties at midnight.
“We are now opting to use the traditional methods of chasing the elephants from our homes, we beat up drums, clap hands and light fires in a bid to scare away these elephants, but we have noticed that sometimes they resist and charge at us.
“This is probably because they are now used to these methods. We can no longer move after 6pm out of fear of being trampled. We urge Zimparks to take note of these animals,” said Piwani Ncube a resident.
Zimparks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo said the problem of human conflict with elephants is a national problem arguing that overpopulation and shortage of food and water was fueling the issue