ZAWA Deploys More Scouts in Crocodile-Infested Samfya

The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
March 14, 2004

THE Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has deployed more of its game scouts in Chief Chitembo's area in Samfya district following the killing of a 30-year-old man by crocodiles last week.

Chifunabuli member of Parliament (MP) Kennedy Sakeni said in an interview from Mansa yesterday that calm had returned to the area following the reinforcement of the game scouts.

Mr Sakeni, who is also Home Affairs Deputy Minister said he hoped ZAWA would soon start cropping the reptiles which had killed and maimed several people in the district over the last few months.

Angry villagers a fortnight ago burnt Chief Chitembo's palace for allegedly opposing the cropping of the reptiles forcing the traditional ruler to flee into the bush.

Last week, the villagers again blocked the Masaila-Kasaba road with stones and trees after a 30 year-old-man was caught and killed by a crocodile.

Mr Sakeni said yesterday that the problem of crocodiles attacking villagers had been long-standing and that it was time the people in the area were freed from the killings.

He said the burning of the palace could have been avoided if the area had a police a post and appealed to the villagers to desist from taking the law into their own hands.