Villagers in Donsa area, Silobela, are living in fear of crocodiles that have invaded the Gweru River, their source water.
The reptiles are killing people and livestock since the beginning of the rainy season last year.
Ward 29 councillor Willard Moyo told Southern Eye on Friday that they are exasperated by Zimparks’ failure to deal with the menacing crocodiles. Said Moyo:
Gweru River is now a no-go area. The river is our only source of water as efforts to rehabilitate Donsa Dam became politicised and it has no water.
We do not understand why the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) would allow such dangerous creatures to live among people.
ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said that people should be careful when approaching water bodies because crocodiles live in water.
Farawo added that there is a need to raise awareness so that people appreciate animal behaviour.
If people believe they are being threatened by crocodiles, they should report the animals to Zimparks so that they are eliminated, Farawo said.