Baboons terrorise Gwanda residents

Gwanda residents are now living in fear as baboons are terrorizing residents, targeting women and children. Community members now fear an outbreak of diseases as the animals have become a menace in the city center.

Residents who spoke to Infocus News said hungry baboons were terrorising residents with a few cases where some have been badly injured by the animals.

Linda Dube said the Central Business District is heavily affected, with women and children being easy targets.

“Baboons are really causing trouble for people here in Gwanda town. They come here looking for food as a result they end up beating people. This is putting our health at stake as evidenced by one lady who was attacked by baboons and her legs broke. We also heard reports that some baboons attacked one child at the hospital and she was badly hurt,” she said.

Another resident Berveline Ndlovu concurred by stating that the baboons had become a menace in the town and called for the killing of the animals.

“We are experiencing a very bad scenario here in Gwanda. Baboons are beating people over food. A lot of people are getting injured because of attacks by baboons. We are appealing to the responsible authorities to shoot these baboons before they start killing people,” Ndlovu said.

Gwanda Mayor Priscilla Nkala said the city council was is using some of its funds to kill the baboons so as to provide a safer environment for residents.

“As you might be aware, baboons have been causing trouble here in the city center. As a result, we are now diverting some of our funds towards killing these animals because they are affecting the health of our people,” said Nkala.

In an interview ZimParks Public Relations Officers Tinashe Sarawo discouraged residents from throwing foodstuffs to the baboons and encouraged them to report stray baboons as soon as possible in order for the department to respond in time.

“We have received reports about baboons terrorizing residents in most parts of the country. This is because our annuals are overpopulated. I urge residents to report to the ZimPark offices as soon as possible so that we can take precautionary measures in time.

“These baboons are likely to cause a serious health hazard, as such I am also discouraging residents from throwing foodstuffs to these baboons because they will keep coming to their residential areas and cause more harm,” he said.

He also urged the local authorities to put in place proper waste management in order to prevent the contraction and spread of diseases in communities.