By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Kariba – A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday morning when a 47-year-old man, Cephas Murota, was fatally trampled by an elephant while walking to work with his colleague, Gracious Mupundu.
The attack occurred at the Lomagundi Turn-Off Powerline, just days after a similar fatality involving another man near the Nyamasvosva River in Batonga.
According to Inspector Ian Kowera, spokesperson for the Mashonaland West provincial police, Murota and Mupundu—employees at Cutty Sark in Kariba—were heading to Tamarindi Lodges where they were involved in hotel construction work. Along the way, they encountered a herd of elephants.
In a sudden and terrifying moment, one of the elephants charged. Murota fled into nearby bushes, while Mupundu ran toward the construction site for safety.
Tragically, after running roughly 50 meters, Murota was caught and gored by the elephant. Despite Mupundu‘s immediate attempt to administer first aid and call for help, Murota was pronounced dead upon arrival at Kariba District Hospital.
Authorities have raised concerns about the increasing frequency of human-wildlife conflicts in the region, urging residents to remain vigilant.
“Animals can act unpredictably,” said Inspector Kowera. “It is essential for those living or working in wildlife-prone areas to stay alert.”
Zimbabwe, home to an estimated 100,000 elephants, has seen escalating human-wildlife conflicts, worsened by prolonged droughts and limited natural resources.
While population control measures have been debated, elephant culling has not occurred in decades due to conservation concerns and financial constraints.
In an effort to mitigate these encounters, technologies such as the EarthRanger platform are being deployed to track elephant movements in real-time, allowing for more informed management and prevention strategies.
At a recent Southern African Development Community (SADC) conference, experts called for a pivot toward human-centered conservation policies that protect both wildlife and people.
As the country prepares for crucial talks at the upcoming Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the need for sustainable, balanced solutions is more pressing than ever.
In the aftermath of the fatal attack, Zimparks rangers took the controversial step of euthanizing the elephant involved to prevent further incidents.
The action underscores the ongoing tension between conservation priorities and community safety.
As the Kariba community mourns the loss of Cephas Murota, the spotlight returns to the urgent necessity of implementing practical, forward-thinking measures to prevent future tragedies.
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