Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
The seven-year-old boy from the Kasvisva area under Chief Nebiri in Kariba rural, who survived a harrowing five-day ordeal in the wildlife-infested Matusadona Game Park, was last week taken into protective custody by the Government and is currently undergoing mental health treatment to aid his recovery.
Tinotenda Pudu wandered into the park on December 27, 2024 and was rescued approximately 49 kilometres away by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) rangers. His safe return shocked the world, as the area has claimed the lives of others who have ventured into it in the past.
ZimParks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said the boy’s rescue was a result of a joint operation involving ZimParks rangers, the local community and the police.
“Despite challenges posed by heavy rainfall that erased the child’s footprints, our rangers persisted,” he said.
“On December 30, 2024 footprints were discovered in the Sakata Valley area of Matusadonha National Park, and in the early hours of December 31, he was successfully located and identified.”
It is believed that Tinotenda traversed harsh terrain in the lion-infested park, surviving on wild fruits.
“During this period, he survived on wild fruits and would dig a small hole along the dry river bank to access underground water to drink, a technique that is well known in drought-prone areas,” added Mr Farawo.
After his rescue, he was taken to a local clinic for preliminary examinations and later transferred to Siakobvu Hospital for further medical evaluation. Mashonaland West provincial medical director Dr Celestino Dhege confirmed that Tinotenda had been placed in protective custody.
He advised against interviews with the boy and his family to prevent emotional distress.
Local parliamentarian Mutsa Murombedzi added that a team of mental health experts is assessing the boy’s condition.
“As part of their (medical experts) recommendations, the team has decided to temporarily move Tinotenda and his mother away from their home for a few days to provide them with a safer and calmer environment to prevent people from disturbing the recovery process,” she said.
Mental health experts will remain in the community for at least seven days to support Tinotenda and monitor the family’s progress.
Efforts are also underway to engage Manhanga Primary School, where Tinotenda is set to begin Grade Three, to ensure he is not subjected to questioning about his ordeal.
Kariba District Development Coordinator Mr Desmond Anele Gumbochuma underscored the importance of community leadership in preventing such incidents.
“Tinotenda’s safe return serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by game parks,” he said.
“While we celebrate his rescue, the community must discourage people, especially minors, from entering these predator- and snake-infested areas. These game parks are also sacred with cases of many having wandered off and never to return.”
Local traditional leaders, including Chiefs Nebiri, Mola and Msampakaruma, echoed the same sentiments, describing the game park as both dangerous and sacred.
“We have had other cases of people wandering into the park and never returning. The park is sacred, and people must respect its boundaries,” said Chief Nebiri.
He said the local community undertook traditional rituals and beat drums daily to guide the boy back home.
Matusadona Game Park, spanning over 1 470 square kilometres, is known for its high lion population density.
