Villagers in Tshitulipasi, Nuli and Mawale in Beitbridge District are living in fear after two collared lions, together with their cubs, crossed the Zimbabwe–South Africa border and moved into areas used daily by local communities.
The lions are believed to have entered Zimbabwe through the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA).
The affected villages are located in the Sengwe Corridor, an important wildlife migration route linking Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe and Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Following confirmed sightings of the lions and their cubs, the Beitbridge Rural District Council issued an alert, urging residents in Tshitulipasi, Nuli and Mawale to be extremely cautious.
Beitbridge RDC chief executive officer Kiliboni Mbedzi confirmed the situation last week, saying joint teams of rangers from Zimbabwe and South Africa have been deployed to track and capture the lions. Said Mbedzi:
“We have received an alert about the lions spotted in Tshitulipasi and Mawale areas in Beitbridge East.
“We advise community members to avoid walking early in the morning or in the evening while the animals are still at large.
“The one approaching Beitbridge town has cubs and is therefore more dangerous.
“Children should be accompanied to school as authorities work to locate and capture the lions.”
Mbedzi urged villagers to immediately report any lion sightings to Beitbridge Rural District Council offices, Zimparks officials or local community leaders. He also warned residents not to provoke or try to chase the animals.
Beitbridge RDC chairperson, Councillor Oscar Chiromo, advised parents in the affected areas to keep school-going children at home where possible until the situation is brought under control. He said:
“Children and adults should move in groups during the day, and people must spread the message about the presence of the lions to save lives.
“When residents see the lions, they must not provoke or attempt to capture them, but report immediately to the authorities.”
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