By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Kariba — The Kariba community is in mourning following a tragic incident in which Gloria Konde, a dedicated HR/Admin Assistant at Kariba District Hospital, was fatally gored by an elephant near the Lake Navigation turn-off yesterday morning.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the heartbreaking loss.
Chief Superintendent Papukai Mhiripiri, Officer Commanding for Kariba District, expressed sorrow over the tragedy.
“As police, we are saddened by this loss of life and urge residents to be cautious when walking near bush areas,” he said.
Dr. Godwin Muza, a medical officer at Kariba District Hospital, described the community’s grief, adding:
“We are all deeply saddened and distressed by this mishap. Gloria was a valued member of our hospital family.”
According to a witness walking with Konde and her two children, the group had left the Muchirara bus stop en route to a church service in Mahombekombe.
“The elephant appeared suddenly from the bushes. I froze in fear. It came toward us, then turned to Gloria. We tried to get help, but it was too late,” she recalled, visibly shaken.
The body of Konde was discovered about 900 meters from the scene.
While this tragedy has shaken the community, conservationists warn that the incident highlights an urgent need to rethink how humans and wildlife coexist in Kariba—a region where elephants, baboons, and other species are increasingly coming into contact with people.
Over ten people have reportedly lost their lives to elephants in the Kariba area this year alone. Experts attribute this surge in conflict to a combination of habitat loss, food scarcity, and encroachment into wildlife corridors caused by expanding human settlements and poor waste management.
Local residents are now calling for measures that balance human safety and wildlife conservation.
Patience Chikanga, a resident, said:
“This has become too common. We need awareness programs and community-driven solutions that protect both people and animals.”
Another resident, Tafadzwa Nyoni, added:
“It’s heartbreaking to lose lives, but we must also remember these animals are reacting to pressure on their habitats. Coexistence is possible if we act together.”
Conservation organizations in Kariba have urged authorities to invest in early-warning systems, strengthen community education on wildlife behavior, and secure natural corridors that allow elephants and other animals to move safely without entering human settlements.
As the community mourns the loss of Gloria Konde, her passing serves as a stark reminder of the fragile relationship between people and wildlife in shared landscapes.
The call for coexistence, respect for nature, and long-term conservation planning has never been more urgent.
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