By JULIUS PHIRI –
ELEPHANTs are terrorising residents in Mambwe District and have destroyed maize fields and houses.
The stray jumbos have damaged homes and fields in Chief Malama’s area, raising concerns about the safety of residents.
They are believed to have strayed from the South Luangwa National Park, which is close to Chief Malama’s area.
Chief Malama of the Kunda-speaking people said the animals’ attack would risk food security in the area because many fields had been damaged.
The traditional leader said he expects the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to ensure that human lives and livelihoods were safeguarded from the elephants.
He said he would personally meet ZAWA officers to complain of the disaster which had been caused by the wild animals in his chiefdom.
“Most of the maize fields and people’s houses have been destroyed by the elephants in my chiefdom,” Chief Malama said.
Meanwhile, Kunda chiefs have appointed Chief Mkhanya to act as Chief Jumbe.
Chief Malama said the chiefs had failed to appoint someone from the royal family to act as a chief because of the infighting.
He said Chief Mkhanya would act until the next heir to the throne of Chief Jumbe was named.
Chief jumbe, Robert Zulu, died on the first of this month.
A succession dispute erupted shortly after when one faction objected to Mr Zulu’s family appointing a successor.
The faction argued that the late chief and his family were merely caretakers of the throne and could, therefore, not remain in authority.
Kunda chiefs eventually banned any succession talks till a later date.