Malawi – villagers burn two African parks vehicles after woman killed by elephant

NKHOTAKOTA-(MaraviPost)-An angry mob in Nkhotakota has set ablaze two vehicles belonging to African Parks manning Nkhotakota Game Reserve.

This follows after an elephant suspected to have bolted from the park killed a woman in the district.

The district police spokesperson Williams Kaponda said the incident occurred on Friday 28, at Bamba village in the area of Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Nkhanga in the district.

On the day, the deceased with her husband went to their farm which is metres away from Nkhotakota Game Reserve.

In course of farming an elephant approached which frightened the two and they separately ran away.

Unfortunately, an elephant got hold of a woman and killed her on spot.

Following the incident, Nkhotakota Game Reserve officials and police were informed and rushed to the place.

However, the police and Nkhotakota Game Reserve officials reached the place were unceremoniously greeted by angry villagers who started beating officers.

This was after blocking the road with trees making it impassable.

Two motor vehicles belonging to African Parks were burnt while two officers David Robertson field operation officer and a game ranger Thomson Mizeck were seriously injured in the fracas.

The victims were rushed to Nkhotakota District Hospital where they are being treated.

Thereafter, additional police were called together with Nkhotakota District Commissioner Dr. Medson Matchaya, Nkhotakota police officer in charge senior assistant commissioner of police Timothy Phiri, African Parks manager Samuel Kamoto among others calmed the situation.

The deceased Sabitha Banda, 21, hailed from Nambamba village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Chakhadza in Dowa district.