Hunger Looming As Elephants Destroy Crops In Mufumbwe

By Paul Shalala in Mufumbwe

A group of over 100 elephants from the Kafue National Park has invaded the southern part of Mufumbwe District in the North Western Province, destroying maize fields and sending terror among the 500 residents.

An Elephant in a maize field

The elephants, which invaded Shungulu, Lalafuta and Kalengwa areas, have completely destroyed this year's maize crop, raising fears of starvation in the area.

Mufumbwe District Commissioner Emma Mankishi, who has rushed to the affected areas to asses the extent of the damage, has decribed the situation as a disaster.

Mrs Mankishi has since written to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit to immediately send relief maize to Mufumbwe to help feed the affected people.

Meanwhile, President Edgar lungu has authorised the Zambia Airforce to send a helicopter to Mufumbwe District to help the District Disaster Management Team visit the affected areas and respond to the crisis.

Mufumbwe Member of Parliament Stephen Masumba says the helicopter is expected to be in the district at the weekend.

Stephen Masumba

Mr Masumba, says the helicopter will also help the authorities in assessing the damage caused to washed away bridges in the southern part of his constituency.

 Meanwhile, The Kalende Prison Farm in Mufumbwe has this year produced an estimated 600 bags of 50 KG bags of maize.

So far, only two hectares from the 11 hectares have been harvested and the ban is almost full.

Maize produced at this Zambia Prison Service run farm not only feeds prisoners in Mufumbwe but also those who are incarcerated in Kabompo, Solwezi and Zambezi districts.