.Hichilema

By ANDREW PHIRI –

VILLAGERS in Kauwe Village in Chief Nyawa’s area of Kazungula District in Southern Province are demanding that United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema compensates them for crop damage caused by his animals in the area.
But when contacted for a comment, Mr Hichilema regretted the destruction of crops, saying that cases of human animal conflicts in villages were very normal and that there was nothing new in the particular issue.
Area ward development chairperson Owen Matale said that about 140 families in Kauwe had their crops damaged by Mr Hichilema’s cattle which strayed and grazed in people’s fields around the area.
Mr Mutale made the disclosure in Kauwe Village on Tuesday when the villagers called for dialogue with Kazungula District administrative officer Goretti Bbalo to discuss some of the challenges the area is faced with.
He said there was crop damage and encroachment by Mr Hichilema’s animals which have increased in number over the years.
“We want to see how HH is going to compensate the farmers here because the population of his animals has grown and his cattle have been terrorising people’s fields in the area and this might lead to starvation in the area coupled with poor harvest due to poor rainfall,” Mr Matale said.
Area farmers’ union chairperson Aaron Maketo also said that there was need to reconsider the boundary of Mr Hichilema’s farm in the area because the fence that was put around the farm was depriving the local people access to a stream which was a major source of water for the villagers and their animals.
Mr Maketo said villagers wanted the fence to be drawn back about 100 meters away from the stream, which was currently enclosed in Mr Hichilema’s farm.
He said his committee has approached Mr Hichilema over the matters and he had promised them before that a solution would be found, but no favourable action was forth coming.
He said it was for this reason that villagers were now seeking the indulgence of the Government to see how they could be assisted in resolving the matter.
Ms Bbalo who was in the company of area council secretary Winston Kasonkomona said the land in question was customary which Mr Hichilema might have been given by the traditional leadership.
Mr Hichilema in an interview yesterday said such human animal conflicts in villages were normal and that there is nothing new in this particular issue.
He said it is regrettable that people’s crops were damaged by his animals and that it is not the first time such a thing is happening, but was quick to mention that there are people on the ground in the area sorting out the issue.
“I am aware of this situation in Kauwe and I am very sympathetic with the affected families, but there are people on the ground who are trying to resolve these issues and I am hopeful that a solution shall be found,” Mr Hichilema said.