By Revesai Mavetera
In a collective sigh of relief, residents of Bulilima in Matabeleland South Province, along with Bekezela Maplanka, a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), can finally breathe easy as the stray lions that were causing havoc in the area have been successfully eliminated by the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife (Zimparks) officials.
Last week, Maplanka sounded the alarm, sending out a distress signal concerning the roaming lions. She even shared a video showcasing the lions in the vicinity, calling for immediate assistance. Maplanka pleaded, “We need urgent help at Bambadzi, Ndolwane & Makhulela, Bulilima, Plumtree. The community is living in fear for their lives and their livestock due to lions roaming around. This has been reported to the authorities, but no action is being taken.”
Responding swiftly to the distress call, Zimparks dispatched a team of rangers to address the situation. The villagers had been living in fear as the lions posed a threat to both their lives and livestock, leading to increased tension in the area. Additionally, reports suggested that a pack of hyenas had been trailing the lions, intensifying the concerns of the community.
Relief finally arrived when a local newspaper recently shared an image of one of the deceased lions. The publication reported that villagers in Plumtree, Matabeleland South, could now breathe a sigh of relief after Zimparks rangers successfully neutralized a stray lion that had been preying on livestock in the region.
Upon learning of the news article, Bekezela Maplanka expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you to Zimparks for responding to our plea, and thank you to everyone who was concerned about the safety of our community in Bulilima. You are all patriotic Zimbabweans.” She also took the opportunity to remind the public to support the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and its leader, Nelson Chamisa, in the upcoming elections on August 23, 2023.
