Elephant invasion sparks student protest

More than 300 students from David Livingstone College of Education (DALICE) have stormed the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) offices in protest over the continued intrusion of elephants at the institution. DALICE Students Union president Haggai Mulamfu said the elephants had been invading the institution and surrounding areas since last term and had destroyed the orchard and wall fence. The students blocked Nakatindi-Sesheke Road between 20:00 hours and 02:00 hours yesterday morning and caused a traffic jam as some truck drivers parked their vehicles in panic for fear of being attacked.

Mr Mulamfu said, the institution caught fire after an elephant tampered with electricity poles. He said students spent nights outside the hostels for fear of being attacked by the animals. A group of police officers in riot gear were found guarding the ZAWA regional offices. A Times reporter who went to the college found the wall fence destroyed and the orchard also in ruins. Efforts to get a comment from acting ZAWA area warden only identified as Mr Kaoma proved futile as he was reported to be attending a meeting in Kazungula District. (The Times of Zambia)