Fear and frustration have gripped residents of Sigonde, outside Musina, after a second herd of stray elephants stormed the village, just weeks after a similar incident left a trail of destruction.
The latest sighting has reignited panic among community members, who say the animals are becoming increasingly aggressive and pose a serious threat to lives, property and livelihoods.
Just three weeks ago, a herd of elephants, believed to have strayed from either Zimbabwe or the Kruger National Park, wreaked havoc in the area before disappearing. Residents had barely begun to breathe a sigh of relief when yet another group was spotted roaming the village.
Community member Mr Samuel Mutele said a large elephant was first seen near the local dam on Wednesday morning, 25 March, at around 08:00.
“People tried going near it, but it charged at them, forcing them to run for their lives. We thought it had moved on, only to realise the worst was yet to come,” he said.
According to Mutele, at around 19:00 that same day, a herd of six elephants returned, breaking fences and destroying crops, mirroring the damage caused during their previous visit. He warned that the situation has now escalated into a serious safety concern.
Residents have since reported the matter to the authorities and are urgently calling for intervention, suggesting that the animals either be relocated back to their natural habitat or dealt with decisively to prevent further danger.