Stray elephants from the Kruger National Park (KNP) have descended on the neighbouring Tshikwalakwala irrigation scheme outside Beit Bridge district, where they are reportedly destroying crops.

The local ward councillor, Mr Enock Ndou, said Tshikwalakwala and surrounding areas were the worst affected areas. He called on the relevant authorities to intervene. “A herd of elephants from KNP has strayed into the irrigation scheme and the animals are destroying crops and canals. This is an issue of grave concern, particularly when one takes into account that farmers are now preparing to plant wheat for the winter crop season," he added.

Mr Eddie Hlongwane, a committee member of the irrigation scheme, said that the elephants had pulled down the fence and crossed the canals. They have destroyed several people's crops and "this continues to frustrate our efforts to participate in the winter crop season.”

The irrigation scheme, measuring 65 ha, has been hard hit by a serious water shortage, due to a lack of funds to purchase the diesel used in powering the pumps.

Established in 1963, Tshikwalakwala Irrigation Scheme is the second-largest scheme in the district after Shashe, and it has 208 plot holders, with each cultivating 0,2ha. Due to the acute shortage of water, plot holders have been forced to reduce the hectares for planting. Mr Hlongwane said that out of four installed engine pumps, only one was working.

In May 2010, elephants destroyed crops at the neighbouring Shashane and Tshamaswiswi irrigation schemes. They also killed three people.

The latest development comes hot on the heels of a similar problem encountered early this year, when a pride of lions from the KNP killed 10 heads of cattle and two donkeys in the same village.

Ndou said he would notify the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the local safari operator, Three Ways Safaris, about the issue.

Tshikwalakwala, which is the remotest area in the district, is situated at the confluence of the Limpopo and Bubi River. The area, which is also prone to floods, shares the border with South Africa and Mozambique.