Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The death of Nkulumane MP Desire Moyo (CCC) early on Friday, after he drove into an elephant near Shangani along the Harare–Bulawayo Highway, is yet another tragic reminder of the growing human toll of wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe, where the elephant population continues to rise.
In September last year, ZimParks reported that 31 people had been killed by wild animals in 2024 — still far from ideal, but an improvement from the 50 deaths recorded during the same period in 2023, and less than half the 67 fatalities reported in 2022.
Moyo was travelling in a Toyota Hilux with four other MPs — Madalaboy Ndebele, Senator Rittah Ndlovu, Sethulo Ncube and Libion Sibanda.
The other lawmakers survived the crash but sustained injuries and were taken to Gweru General Hospital for treatment.
According to one of the MPs, it wasn’t the initial impact that caused Moyo’s death, but rather the fatal injuries sustained in the attack by the elephant that followed. Emakhandeni-Luveve MP Discent Bajila told ZimLive:
“I spoke to Honourable Ndebele, who was in the front passenger seat. His recollection is that they hit the elephant on its backside.
“After the impact, he remembers the elephant turning round and fighting the vehicle.
“This, he believes, is what did the most damage on the top right side of the vehicle and ultimately led to Honourable Moyo’s fatal injuries.”
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the accident in a statement posted on X on Friday. The ZRP said:
“The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident which occurred at the 334 km peg along Harare –Bulawayo Road near Shangani at 0230 hours on 10/10/25.
“One person died whilst four others were injured when a vehicle carrying some Members of Parliament hit an elephant and overturned. The Police will issue a detailed statement soon.”
Moyo was a first-term MP, former teacher, and popular poet and cultural enthusiast known by his stage name, “Moyoxide”.
He was elected as the Member of Parliament for Nkulumane in the 2023 general elections, securing 9,880 votes against ZANU PF’s Phineas Murechu, who came second with 2,402 votes.
Until his passing, he served on Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
Tragically, Moyo’s death came just a day before his 46th birthday.
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