14/07/2026
Punitive laws are not laws, the wildlife act of 2018 must be reviewed. People/Animals
Member of Parliament for Mzimba West Constituency, Ackim Kumwenda, has called on government to start compensating people who suffer losses due to human-wildlife conflict, saying the incidents continue to escalate in communities near game reserves and national parks.
Kumwenda made the request today in parliament, citing his area as an example. He said two people have been killed by wild animals recently and 21 hectares of crops destroyed in space of a week in communities surrounding Vwaza Game Reserve.
"We are talking of vast areas of banana plantations, high value horticulture crops such as tomatoes being lost to elephants. This is a big concern," Kumwenda said.
Responding to the request on behalf of Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Trade Symon Itaye, said under current Wildlife Act there is no provision of compensations for human-wildlife conflicts, saying parliament would need to first to consider amending the piece of legislation.
Some legislators from Chikwawa and Mulanje supported Kumwenda's propasal, saying the human-wildlife conflict is also a problem in their communities. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Victor Musowa has advised the Mzimba West MP that the matter should be presented in the House as a private members bill.
(by Kenphord Mdima-Lilongwe: 07/14/26)
