Arusha — Over 100 hectares of peasants' food crops in Makuyuni ward, Monduli district have been destroyed by stray elephants from bordering Manyara and Tarangire national parks.

The ward's residents complained the animals had become a threat to their crops, property and even to human life. They were speaking to this reporter soon after the official announcement of the ward CCM councilor contestant, Abdilah Ali Warsama,

It was claimed the animals had killed over four people over a period of time in the areas as they invaded the villages and the peasants' farms. They called on the government to intervene to save the people's property and their lives.

They listed the affected villages as Naiti, Makuyuni and Mbuyuni. The residents said besides the elephants other destructive wild animals invading the villages were zebras, giraffes and lions.

The people called on the government to give them subsidy and invent alternative economic activities as farming has become nearly impossible in the areas around the national parks.

In his comments, Warsama confirmed the peoples' complaints and said they could lose all confidence in crop cultivation as some 8,000 people were going without food this season due to the animal destruction.