Stray lions from the Kruger National Park have resurfaced at Tshikwalakwala and surrounding villages outside Beit Bridge, where they are reportedly killing livestock.

The local ward councillor, Cllr Enock Ndou, confirmed the development, saying the beasts have so far killed 10 cattle and two donkeys, leaving several others wounded in the neighbouring Shashane village. Ndou said there were no reports of human deaths as the lions were only found in remote parts of the village and were mainly targeting livestock.

Lions have become a perennial problem for villagers in the eastern part of the district and they are now calling for a lasting solution to the problem. The latest development comes hot on the heels of a similar problem encountered in the same area last year, when lions killed two beasts.

Ndou said they had notified the local safari operator, Three Ways Safaris, but nothing had been done to address the problem. “This is a serious problem, which calls for urgent attention. We are now planning to engage the parks and wildlife management authority to assist us since the local safari operator contracted by the local authority appears not to be willing to help the affected villagers,” he said.

Last year, elephants from the same wildlife sanctuary descended on Shashane and Tshamaswiswi, where they destroyed winter crops. At Tshamaswiswi Irrigation Scheme, the animals pulled down the fence. The elephants also killed three people - a-40 year-old man, a pregnant woman and her three-year-old toddler.

Cllr Ndou also appealed to Government and transport operators to assist villagers in Tshitulipasi, Tshikwalakwala and the surrounding area with transport. “Villagers are forced to pay exorbitant fares charged by private operators who are now cashing in on the transport problems. We are appealing to local bus companies to assist by plying the route,” he said.

Private transport operators charge R150 for a trip from Tshikwalakwala to Beit Bridge, while buses used to charge R60 for the same distance of about 135km. Several transport operators pulled out of the route, citing the poor conditions of the road network.