By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Kariba — What began as an ordinary fishing trip ended in heartbreak for a Kariba family after 35-year-old Never Kahondo was fatally trampled by an elephant on Saturday night.
The tragedy unfolded along the narrow path between ARDA Fishing Camp and Gache-Gache Fishing Camp, a route he had walked countless times before.
For the local fishing community, Kahondo was more than just a fisherman — he was a brother, a father, a neighbor, and a hardworking provider.
On the night of the incident, he was returning home, just a few meters from safety, when an elephant suddenly emerged from the bush and charged.
“It all happened so fast,” said his cousin, Jayson Mwembe, still visibly shaken. “He tried to run, but the elephant was too quick. When we found him, he was lying there in a pool of blood. We rushed him to the clinic, praying he’d make it, but it was too late.”
Never was pronounced dead at Gache-Gache Clinic before he could be transferred to Kariba District Hospital. His sudden death has left the close-knit community reeling, casting a shadow of sorrow over the shores of Lake Kariba.
Tichaona Manzungu, chairperson of the Gache-Gache Fishing Cooperative, described Never as a dedicated and kind-hearted man whose absence will be deeply felt.
“He was one of our own — a humble, hardworking soul who was just trying to provide for his family,” said Manzungu. “This is a devastating loss for all of us.”
As the news spread through the fishing camps, many residents gathered to console the Kahondo family and to reflect on the increasing dangers of living so close to the wild.
Manzungu urged community members to be extra cautious, especially at night. “We are calling on authorities to help us improve safety in these areas. But until then, we must look out for each other and avoid walking alone, particularly after dark.”
Kahondo’s death is part of a growing trend of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe, especially in regions bordering national parks. Just this month, three other people were killed by elephants in the Kariba area alone — a stark indication of how fragile the balance between humans and nature has become.
For now, the Kahondo family must navigate life without the man who once cast his nets on the lake’s waters, never imagining that the land would claim him instead.
“He left home to fish,” said Jayson quietly. “He never came back.”
As the sun sets over Lake Kariba, the community mourns not just a life lost, but a deepening divide between people and the wild they’ve long called home.
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