A Shurugwi man has been ordered to pay a US$100 fine or spend three months in jail by the Magistrates Court after he killed a hyena and sold around 45 kg of its meat to unsuspecting villagers on June 7, 2024.
According to <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/shurugwi-men-sell-hyena-meat-to-villagers/">The Mirror</a>, Tinashe Mhlabati (25) of Village 8, Zhaugwe in Shurugwi was arraigned before Magistrate Percy Mukumba, who also ordered him to pay US$1,000 compensation to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks).
Mhlabati was found guilty on his own plea when he appeared in court on Wednesday.
He confessed before the court that he knowingly hunted the hyena with six dogs, killed it and sold its meat to unsuspecting Shurugwi villagers.
Mhlabati was also found cooking some of the meat at his homestead. Officers from the ZRP also recovered the hyena’s tail at his homestead.
The court heard that Mhlabati and Artwell Mukoki who is still at large hunted down the hyena with six dogs and killed it.
The duo skinned the animal, ate part of its head and sold most of the meat to unsuspecting villagers at Zhaugwe Business Centre.
Police received a tipoff that the duo was in possession of a hyena and proceeded to Mhlabati’s homestead where they found the hyena’s tail and some cooked meat.
Four hyena legs were found at Artwell Mukoki’s homestead but he managed to evade arrest.
Mhlabati told the police officers that they sold most of the meat at the Zhaugwe business centre.
The recovered remains were taken to Gweru Zimparks and were confirmed to be that of a spotted hyena. The remains weighed 1.95kg.
A full-grown spotted hyena weighs between 40 and 86kg. Interestingly, spotted females tend to be heavier than males.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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Shurugwi Man Sells Hyena Meat To Unsuspecting Villagers

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told President Emmerson Mnangagwa that he has enough “hyenas” to deal with in Europe after the Zimbabwean leader said he was ready to donate the ravenous animals to Moscow.
As reported by <a href="https://www.rt.com/russia/598982-putin-africa-gift/">Russia Today</a>, Putin and Mnangagwa shared a laugh during a tense debate on nuclear diplomacy on Friday, as they discussed how to deal with the real and metaphorical “hyenas” threatening their countries.
According to the report, during a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russian political scientist Sergey Karaganov urged Putin to update Russia’s nuclear doctrine to allow nuclear retaliation against countries that strike Russia with conventional weapons.
This comes after several Western nations, including the US, France, and Germany, recently gave Ukraine permission to use their missiles to hit targets on Russian territory.
Karaganov argued that Western countries have grown complacent and need to be reminded of Russia’s nuclear capabilities. He told Putin:
<blockquote>
They have gone mad, especially the Europeans. It’s how animals behave. If there is a herd of hyenas or wild dogs and you’ve got a stick, you can keep them at bay.
But there’s a high chance that they will tear your clothes, and if you get tired they will bite you to death. If you can kill a couple of them then they will disperse.
President Mnangagwa knows about the behaviour of hyenas.
</blockquote>
Karaganov then turned to Mnangagwa and asked if he concurred with his assertions. He said:
<blockquote>
Do you agree Mr. President, that this is how you deal with hyenas?
</blockquote>
In response to Karaganov, Mnangagwa said:
<blockquote>
We do have lots of hyenas in Zimbabwe, but we keep them in the national parks. We have no problems with them, but they breed a lot, and if there is anybody who wants them, we are ready to donate.
</blockquote>
Putin responded: “Well we’ve got hyenas of our own in Europe”.
Russian nuclear doctrine since 2010 allows for the use of atomic weapons in the event of a nuclear first strike on its territory or infrastructure, or if the existence of the Russian state is threatened by either nuclear or conventional weapons.
Putin said that Russia “needs no nuclear weapons to achieve victory” in Ukraine but added that changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine “are not ruled out.”
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mnangagwa Offers Free Hyenas To Russia's Vladimir Putin

A man from Gamunorwa Village in Chiadzwa, Mutare who was trying to help fellow villagers who were being attacked by a hyena was killed after the animal turned on him last week on Thursday.
Charles Gamunorwa lost his life while two other villagers, Noah Jambaya and Petros Machona, sustained life-threatening injuries and were admitted to hospital, following the attack.
The hyena was killed by Gamunorwa’s brother, Valerio, as he tried to save his brother.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/brave-samaritan-loses-life-in-hyena-attack/">The Manica Post</a> at his brother’s burial last week on Friday, Valerio said he, together with his late brother and 10 other villagers, had rushed to assist Jambaya and Machona who were being attacked by the hyena. He said:
<blockquote>
When we heard Mr Jambaya and Mr Machona crying for help, we teamed up with 10 other villagers and rushed to the scene. We were at my late brother’s homestead when we heard the commotion.
The noise sounded like a cow was being attacked by a hyena. We rushed to the scene thinking that we were going to rescue the cow, not knowing that the hyena was attacking people. We realised that two people had been injured.
When we got here, the hyena went straight for my brother, Charles, and knocked him down.
When the other people we were with saw what was happening, they ran for their lives in different directions.
Mr Jambaya, whom we had rescued, also took this opportunity to escape. Only an injured Mr Machona, Mr Tatenda Kusena and myself remained behind to fight the hyena.
When we tried to rescue my brother, the hyena charged towards us. We remained resolute in our quest to save my brother’s life.
When we hit the hyena with heavy stones, it would fall down but would regain its strength and charge towards my badly injured brother and continue mauling him.
He died a painful death, something that we never anticipated as we were relaxing as a family at his homestead 30 minutes before his death.
</blockquote>
The late Gamunorwa left behind children aged eight, 10, 13, 15, and 18, whose mothers are also late.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo urged people to alert ZimParks and report to their nearest police station if they spot wild animals around their areas.
Five people were attacked by a hyena in Makoni District recently in another case of human-wildlife conflict in Manicaland.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

"Good Samaritan" Killed By Hyena As Other Villagers Flee In Terror

A vicious hyena mauled five people in the Zuze area of Makoni District in incidents that happened last week on Thursday and Friday.
<a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/hyena-attacks-five-rips-off-lips-limb/">The Manica Post</a> reported that the hyena was killed by a traditional leader, Headman Gwasira after it had injured him.
Headman Gwasira is now recuperating at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.
The nocturnal animal’s first victim, David Zuze (54) who lost a large chunk of his lips, an arm, and a palm, is admitted at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare.
The hyena also inflicted various degrees of injuries on three other villagers who were treated and discharged.
Zuze reportedly met his near-death experience just before sunset while on his way to a funeral last week on Thursday.
Speaking to The Manica Post, his brother, Simbarashe Zuze, said the family is praying for a speedy recovery. He said:
<blockquote>
My brother said he thought that it was a dog, and only realised that it was a hyena after it attacked him.
When he fell down, the hyena pounced on him and as he bravely tried to wade it off. lt ripped off his left hand and two fingers from his right hand.
It also ripped off his lips. He had lost all hope and power when another villager came to his rescue.
</blockquote>
The villager who rescued Zuze, Philemon Munjanja, recounted the horror experience to The Manica Post on Monday. He said:
<blockquote>
I heard a strange sound while I was in my garden. It sounded like a hyena, but I could not imagine seeing a hyena in broad daylight. I heard someone screaming for help.
The screaming stopped after a while and I got worried. I grabbed an axe and ran to the scene. I saw Mr Zuze on the ground and the hyena lurking nearby.
The hyena tried to attack me, but I firmly held my axe ready to strike it. We went back and forth for an hour until it backed off and moved away.
</blockquote>
Munjanja later carried Zuze to his homestead.
The following morning, the Village Head, Noah Zuze and Headman Omega Gwasira, teamed up with other villagers to retrieve David’s body parts from where he was attacked by the hyena.
Speaking in a telephone interview with the publication from his hospital bed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Headman Gwasira said:
<blockquote>
We retrieved them, but as we headed to Rusape General Hospital where David was initially taken, we met two women being chased by a hyena. We parked our vehicle and went after it.
The animal turned on us and mangled my foot. My colleague tried to strike it with an axe, but he missed it and the axe landed on my leg. I sustained a deep cut, and that is why I ended up in hospital.
</blockquote>
He said despite suffering the leg injury, he grabbed the axe and delivered a fatal blow to the hyena.
Headman Gwasira implored ZimParks to hunt down the hyenas which are now a threat to both people and their livestock.
ZimParks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo said he was still waiting for a detailed report of the incident.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Hyena Attacks Five In Makoni; One Victim Loses Lips, Palm

A couple and their son were mauled and badly injured by a clan of hyenas in Mapfumo village, Bota communal lands, Zaka District on Monday afternoon as they tried to protect their livestock from the wild animals.
The hyenas attacked Rwatinga Maroyi and pinned him down and as his father, Robert Maroyi, sought to save him, the animals jumped on him.
The mother of the house, Muchanyara Munodya, rushed to the scene and was badly mauled on the hands and lost both palms.
The Maroyis were rescued by other villagers who managed to scare away the hyenas.
All three are now hospitalised at Musiso Hospital where their condition is critical but stable.
Robert’s brother who declined to give his name told The Herald that the trio was badly injured though the doctors expressed confidence all the victims will recover. He said:
<blockquote>
It was a terrible incident and doctors are trying to repair the victims but now all three cannot feed themselves.
They are being assisted to feed. You need a strong heart to look at them. Robert’s face was left tattered and his chest as well. It is terrible.
It is unimaginable that one would sleep today with both their hands but before sunset the following day, they no longer have hands and have to be fed, bathed and clothed by someone.
</blockquote>
Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident saying a team of rangers was on the ground to trek the hyenas.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zaka-family-members-survive-horrific-hyenas-attack/">The Herald</a>

Zaka Family Members Seriously Injured In Hyena Attack

A three-year-old boy from Mutoko in Mashonaland East Province was seriously injured after he was mauled by a hyena at an apostolic sect shrine.
Denval Chakomoka is now admitted to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital after he suffered severe head injuries in the attack.
His parents are appealing for financial assistance to cover his medical expenses, among them CT scans.
The boy’s father Africa Chakomoka told NewsDay that the boy was supposed to undergo several head scans. He said:
<blockquote>
It happened on Friday morning at a shrine in Masango village where my son and her mother had gone for prayers.
They were asleep and my wife woke up and saw a hyena dragging our son. The church members managed to confront the animal and it fled, but he was already injured.
I had to rush him to the hospital in Harare where he is admitted. They need at least US$300 for some head scans and we are appealing for assistance from well-wishers.
</blockquote>
Chakomoka added that he had informed the traditional leadership about the hyena attack.
Police in Mashonaland East province told NewsDay they were yet to receive a report on the case.
Of late hyenas have been a menace in Mutoko and Murewa districts where they have been attacking people, leaving them with scars and at risk of contracting rabies.
Hyenas twice invaded the Seventh-day Adventist Church-run Nyahuni Mission School recently but learners chased them away.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/hyena-mauls-boy-3-at-church-shrine/">NewsDay</a></h4>

Hyena Mauls Boy (3) At Prayer Vigil

Villagers in Murewa, Mashonaland East province, are living in fear after a rabid hyena killed one person, attacked two others and invaded a local boarding school on two occasions.
The dismembered body of Searchmore Chauke (38) of Chaza village, under Chief Mangwende, was discovered three days after he failed to return from herding cattle.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachi confirmed the incident Wednesday. Chazovachi said:
<blockquote>
A hyena has attacked three people in Murewa before invading a school within a short space of time. A male adult died and we suspect that he was mauled by the wild animal. We have since notified the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. We are urging members of the community to be on high alert of hyenas in this area.
</blockquote>
It was reported that on the afternoon of February 20, Tapera Matongo discovered Chauke’s body about 600m from Nyahuni Adventist Mission School and alerted police in Macheke.
Police attended the scene and discovered that his body, which had a missing palm and toes, was partially submerged in a swamp.
A search was conducted around the scene leading to the discovery of a jaw, fragments of a skull and some tattered clothes belonging to the deceased.
The police also discovered bite marks on trees at the scene and on the clothes.
The hyena invaded Nyahuni Adventist Mission School on two occasions but was chased away by students.
On February 18, two villagers Clifford Biti and Jacob Mutoko, from Nehumba village, close to Nyahuni Mission, were attacked by the hyena, seriously injuring them.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/02/hyena-terrorises-murewa-villagers-invades-school/">NewsDay</a>

Hyena Kills One, Attacks Some, Invades Murewa School

The nine-year-old Zimbabwean boy who was severely disfigured after a hyena attack arrived in South Africa on Saturday for reconstructive surgery.
Rodwell Nkomazana was at a night church service in Zaka, Masvingo Province last month when the wild animals attacked him.
He’s lost one of his eyes, his nose, and parts of his mouth during the attack.
A team of South African doctors including plastic surgeons, dental surgeons, and paediatricians has offered to assist with reconstructive surgery for free.
A hotel has also offered to accommodate the boy’s mother during their stay in South Africa.
Nkomozana’s doctor in Harare, Wayne Munana, says the Grade three pupil will need several operations.
On Monday (June 21), Nkomazana will undergo exploratory surgery before a more extensive complex operation is scheduled.
While the injuries are likely to leave multiple scars on his face, plastic surgeon Ridwan Mia told AFP that the team was hoping to minimise the scarring through the expected 20-hour procedure.
<h4>More: <a href="https://mothership.sg/2021/06/zimbabwe-boy-mauled-by-hyena-surgery/">Mothership</a></h4>

Zimbabwean (9), Mauled By Hyenas To Undergo 20 Hour Surgery In SA

The 9-year-old boy from Zaka who was dragged by hyenas from a place where he was attending an all-night church on 7 May this year has been airlifted to South Africa for surgery.
According to respected SABC journalist Sophie Mokoena, Roswell Ngomazana arrived at Mediclinic in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa for reconstructive surgery this Saturday.
In a statement on 9 June, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital, where the boy had been undergoing treatment, said some well-wishers have now offered to airlift the Child to South Africa for the required facial reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Below is a video shared on <a href="https://twitter.com/Sophie_Mokoena/status/1406267404406120457" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Twitter</a> by Mokoena captioned with the words:
<blockquote>A nine-year-old boy Rodwell Khomazana who was attacked by Hyena outside Harare Zimbabwe has arrived at Mediclinic in Sandton Johannesburg South Africa for reconstructive surgery. #sabcnews</blockquote>
<div>
<video controls="controls" height="360" preload="metadata" width="640"><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Rodwell-Khomazana-who-was-attacked-by-a-Hyena.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Rodwell-Khomazana-who-was-attacked-by-a-Hyena.mp4</a></video></div>
Ngomazana of Benzi Village under Chief Nhema in Zaka was severely mauled in the face after he was dragged for 300 metres at Zviratidzo Zvevapositori Church prayers.
He was rescued by members of the congregation who ran after the hyenas forcing them to drop him.
Ngomazana had gone to the all-night vigil with her 62-year-old grandmother Martha Martha Sasikai on the fateful day.
Sasikai said the boy was attacked soon after he asked for some sheets because he wanted to sleep. She said:
<blockquote>We were at a church service when Roswell asked for some sheets to cover himself since he wanted to sleep.
I gave him and it was only a few minutes later when he was attacked by the hyenas.
He was mauled on his face and we thank God that he is alive. As a family, we are appealing for well-wishers to help us meet medical bills</blockquote>
Zimbabwe National Parks (Zimparks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident.

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