Petrol, diesel prices drop in September

Dar es Salaam. Motorists and industries using petroleum products are set to benefit from lower fuel prices after the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (Ewura) reduced the prices of petrol and diesel by an average of Sh100 per litre for September.

Ewura has cut the price of petrol by Sh102 per litre and diesel by Sh101, reflecting movements in global oil prices at the time the fuel was ordered, although international prices remain volatile amid the continuing conflict in the Middle East.

In Dar es Salaam, a litre of petrol will now retail at Sh3,796, diesel at Sh3,877 and kerosene at Sh3,713, down from Sh3,898, Sh3,978 and Sh4,003, respectively, in August.

For fuel supplied through the Port of Tanga, petrol will sell at Sh3,872 per litre, diesel at Sh3,953 and kerosene at Sh3,789, compared with Sh3,959, Sh4,039 and Sh4,065, respectively, in August.

At the Port of Mtwara, petrol will retail at Sh3,909 per litre, diesel at Sh3,990 and kerosene at Sh3,825, down from Sh3,990, Sh4,070 and Sh4,096, respectively.

The latest price cuts come amid fluctuations in global oil prices between May and August, according to data from CountryEconomy based on the Europe Brent Spot Price FOB.

The average price of a barrel of Brent crude rose to $107.14 in May before falling to $85.40 in June and $83.76 in July, representing a decline of about 22 percent between May and July.

However, prices rebounded in August to an average of $91.15 per barrel, an 8.8 percent increase from July, although they remained about 15 percent below the May level.

Ewura said oil companies were free to sell petroleum products at competitive prices, provided they did not exceed the prescribed cap or fall below the applicable minimum price.

The prices were calculated in accordance with the Ewura Petroleum Products Pricing Regulations, 2022, published in Government Notice No. 57 on January 28, 2022, and subsequent amendments published in Government Notice No. 761A on October 30, 2023, as well as the 2024 Bulk Procurement System Regulations.

The regulator urged all fuel stations to clearly display current prices, discounts and other commercial incentives offered to customers.

‘Where there is a choice, customers are advised to buy petroleum products from stations offering lower prices to promote competition,’ Ewura said.

The authority warned that selling fuel without clearly displaying prices was an offence and that stations failing to comply with legal requirements would face penalties.

Ewura also directed fuel retailers to issue receipts generated through Electronic Fiscal Pump Printers (EFPP), while customers were advised to ensure they received receipts showing the station’s name, date, type of fuel purchased and price per litre.

The receipts can be used as evidence in the event of complaints over fuel being sold above the prescribed price or concerns over the quality of petroleum products.

They will also help facilitate the collection of government taxes generated from petroleum product sales, Ewura said.

Tanzania Film Board summons Kajala, Irene, Aunty Ezekiel and Wolper

Tanzania’s film industry is watching closely after the Tanzania Film Board issued a public call to four of Bongo Movie’s most recognisable names, Kajala Masanja, Irene Uwoya, Aunty Ezekiel and Jacqueline Wolper.

In a brief social media notice, the Board directed the four actresses to report to its offices at 2pm on Monday, September 7, 2026.

The call comes as the four continue to command attention through A-List, a DStv entertainment production bringing them together for candid conversations about their lives and experiences in the public eye.

The notice also follows a recent call by Minister for Home Affairs Patrobas Katambi for artistes and content creators to exercise greater responsibility in their use of social media. Katambi said some online statements and behaviour had undermined the dignity of Tanzanians and created a negative image in society.

He said those involved had been forgiven for past offences but warned that everyone must follow social media laws and regulations.

The reason for the Film Board’s call, however, remains unclear.

So, what is the Tanzania Film Board calling the four A-List stars for?

Defending champion Awuor ready for Sterling Golf challenge

Dar es Salaam. Defending champion Ashley Awuor is set to return to the Kilimanjaro World Life and Golf Estate with her title firmly in sight when the Sterling Invitational Golf Tournament tees off tomorrow.

Awuor will headline a field of 80 golfers expected to compete over three days in a tournament that promises a stern test of consistency, accuracy and endurance.

Having conquered the course last year, Awuor faces a different challenge this time as she attempts to retain the title against a competitive field drawn from across the region.

Her return is expected to add excitement to the ladies’ contest, with the defending champion carrying the confidence of knowing what it takes to negotiate the course and finish on top.

Event coordinator Madina Idd Hussein said Awuor’s decision to return and defend her title was a major boost for the tournament.

‘We are delighted that Ashley Awuor will be back to defend her title. Having the defending champion return gives the tournament an added competitive edge and we expect her to face a strong challenge from the other players,’ Hussein said.

She said the organisers had worked to ensure the tournament provides a quality platform for golfers while also giving them an opportunity to earn valuable international ranking points.

‘This is more than just a tournament for the trophy. The competition is recognised by The R and A and registered on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, so the players have an opportunity to earn world ranking points,’ she said.

The tournament will run from September 4 to 6, with golfers in the Championship/Silver and Division B categories competing throughout the three days.

A total of 50 players are expected in the two categories. Championship/Silver is reserved for golfers with a handicap index of five and below, while Division B is open to players with a handicap index of 5.1 and above.

Senior men and ladies will join the competition on September 5 and 6, with another 30 golfers expected to take part.

The tournament will be played under the stroke play format, with golfers in the main categories completing 18 holes each day. The ladies will play 54 holes over three days, while senior golfers will compete over 36 holes.

Hussein said the tournament’s recognition by The R and A and its inclusion on the World Amateur Golf Ranking had helped raise its profile and attract serious amateur golfers.’

We are pleased with the response from the golfers. The fact that players can compete for the title while also earning ranking points makes the tournament even more meaningful,’ she said.

The competition is organised with Sterling Surfactant Limited as the main sponsor, whose support has enabled the event to bring together a sizeable field at one of the region’s prominent golf estates.

For Awuor, however, the focus will be simple: defend the crown The defending champion will need to produce three days of disciplined golf and maintain her composure under pressure if she is to leave Arusha with the Sterling title once again.

Tanzania unveils device to detect counterfeit products

Experts in Tanzania’s fight against counterfeit goods have unveiled a specialised device designed to help identify fake products.

The device, made using specialised glass-based technology, can be used by both consumers and manufacturers by placing it in contact with the product being verified.

Speaking on August 2, 2026, at a forum to introduce the technology, Chairman of Nanosilikhan Africa, the company behind the device, Joshua Alan, said the innovation aims to promote truth, fairness and trust in business. Mr Alan said the technology would also contribute to national and public health security while encouraging Tanzanians to develop and support locally produced products rather than relying on imitations of foreign brands.

Acting Director General of the Fair Competition Commission (FCC), Khadija Ngasongwa, said the laws enforced by the commission are intended to protect both consumers and businesses.

Ms Ngasongwa said manufacturers have three key responsibilities in the fight against counterfeit goods, including protecting their innovations and putting in place safeguards that make it difficult for others to reproduce their products fraudulently.

She said manufacturers must also protect their customers, noting that consumers who unknowingly purchase substandard products may lose trust in the brand, affecting the manufacturer’s ability to recover production costs and investment.

‘Under the enforcement of the law, whenever a consumer reports that a product has been counterfeited in a particular market, we will visit the area and take action to prevent the product from continuing to circulate,’ she said.

Ms Ngasongwa added that as globalisation and technology advance, counterfeiters are also investing in sophisticated technology to deceive consumers. In some cases, she said, even manufacturers and enforcement officers struggle to distinguish genuine products from counterfeits during inspections.

She described the new technology as an additional tool in the fight against counterfeit goods, helping protect consumers, enable manufacturers to recover their investments and prevent the Government from losing revenue.

The technology will also assist FCC officers stationed at border points, ports and other areas, given that counterfeit goods are often smuggled into the country through various unofficial routes.

Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), Gilead Teri, said the arrival of the company, which specialises in product quality protection, was a result of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to South Korea.

Mr Teri said the technology could help protect the quality of products manufactured for the market while enabling consumers to verify that what they purchase is genuine, safe, of good quality and beneficial.

He said the device can be used to verify a wide range of products, including industrial goods such as medicines, food, beverages and cement, as well as service-related products such as tickets and football team jerseys.

Mr Teri said the company also plans to establish a manufacturing plant in Tanzania, which would create employment opportunities. He said the company had already been allocated land in the industrial area of Kigamboni.

Zanzibar farmers decry power, poor roads and weak markets

Farmers in Unguja South have asked the government to address unreliable electricity, poor roads, counterfeit farm inputs and weak markets that they say are undermining agricultural production.

The farmers, mainly producing vegetables and fruits, raised the concerns yesterday during a visit by Zanzibar Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, Mr Suleiman Masoud Makame, to Bwejuu, Paje and Mtule villages.

A farmer and secretary of the local farmers’ association, Mr Hamdani Makame Kidoza, said low electricity voltage was making it difficult to operate irrigation pumps. ‘The long distance, with as many as 56 poles from the transformer, causes the electricity voltage to drop, making it difficult to provide enough water to crops such as tomatoes,’ he said.

He also complained about poor-quality inputs and pesticides suspected to be counterfeit, saying some failed to control pests and instead worsened the problem.

Farmers further cited inadequate agricultural extension services, saying the absence of experts in farming areas denied them access to professional advice.

Markets were another major concern, with farmers facing competition from produce supplied from mainland Tanzania and Kenya.

Mr Kidoza said tomato prices could fall to Sh25,000 per crate when supplies from outside Zanzibar increase.

‘These are the issues holding us back as farmers. We are struggling, but we are facing major obstacles such as these,’ he said.

Mr Kassim Ramadhan, a Bwejuu farmer, and Ms Khadija Kassim, secretary of the Kibojo farmers’ group, said poor roads were causing post-harvest losses.

They said farmers had to transport produce over poor roads to reach the main highway, exposing it to damage before reaching markets.

‘By the time we take tomatoes from here to the market, they are already damaged because of the heavy shaking caused by the lack of roads,’ Ms Khadija said.

The Director General of the Zanzibar Agricultural and Livestock Research Institute (ZALIRI), Dr Abdalla Ibrahim Ali Kidodi, cautioned farmers against indiscriminate pesticide use.

He said healthy crops could withstand some pests and diseases without excessive reliance on chemicals.

Dr Kidodi said ZALIRI, in collaboration with the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), was finalising trials of two improved tomato varieties, TARI 1 and TARI 2.

The varieties are expected to reduce farmers’ dependence on expensive hybrid seeds.

‘Currently, our experts are in the laboratory developing plant nutrients suited to Zanzibar’s environment to increase productivity,’ he said.

Mr Makame acknowledged a gap between the ministry and rural farmers, promising more frequent visits to address their concerns.

He said the government would conduct a comprehensive assessment of agricultural production to help reduce Zanzibar’s dependence on imported fruits and vegetables.

During the visit, the minister advised farmers to increase nitrogen application to crops such as butternut squash to improve yields.

On electricity, Mr Makame said the ministry would engage the authorities responsible for power supply, but advised farmers to consider solar energy because of current pressure on Zanzibar’s electricity supply.

‘We will meet our colleagues (in the electricity sector), but we all know that there is currently pressure on the power supply. So, while that process continues, we advise farmers to use solar,’ he said.

He also promised to link the farmers with the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) to access financing.

Mr Makame said the ministry would unveil a comprehensive food security plan, including measures to address farmers’ concerns over markets and capital, after completing the assessment.

‘These government measures are aimed at ensuring that agriculture becomes a genuine means of improving the livelihoods of the people of Zanzibar,’ he said.

VisionFund launches app with instant digital services

VisionFund Tanzania Microfinance Bank Limited (VFT) has launched a mobile banking application that allows customers to open accounts, save, access loans and make selected payments using their smartphones.

The VFT Smart Banking App, launched in Arusha yesterday, is part of the bank’s digital transformation strategy aimed at extending financial services beyond its branch network.

A key feature is the Dunduliza Group Account, which enables members of savings groups to borrow up to three times their savings without collateral, according to the bank statement. According to the bank, the product seeks to combine the savings discipline and group-based lending model associated with VICOBA with digital banking.

VFT Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rogathe Godson, said the launch represented a shift in how the bank delivers services to its customers.

‘The launch of VFT Smart Banking represents a significant step in the transformation of VisionFund Tanzania and how we serve our customers,’ he said.

‘Our strategy is to make financial services more accessible and to take banking beyond our branches, bringing it closer to where our customers live, work and conduct their businesses.’

VisionFund Chief Operating Officer, Mr Deogratius Siria, said the Dunduliza account was designed to address some of the limitations associated with conventional group savings and lending arrangements.

Mr Siria said the product offered loans at an interest rate of 4 percent per month, with repayment periods of up to three months.

‘Dunduliza combines the security, transparency and social strength of group savings with the speed, affordability and flexibility of digital banking,’ he said.

The application also enables customers to pay bills, government levies and Lipa Namba transactions without transaction charges, according to the bank.

VFT Chief Financial Officer, Mr Henry Horombe, said transaction costs remained one of the barriers to wider adoption of digital financial services.

‘The transition to a digital economy can only be meaningful if ordinary customers, particularly those at the bottom of the pyramid, can participate in it affordably,’ he said.

He said removing charges from selected digital payments could encourage more people to shift from cash-based transactions to digital platforms.

‘Our goal is not simply to digitise banking. It is to make digital banking accessible, affordable and useful, so that technology creates real value for customers and enables more Tanzanians to participate in the digital economy,’ Mr Horombe said.

Helping others up: Do they owe you one?

You know someone in the industry, so when your friend starts looking for a job, you make an introduction.

You put in a good word. You recommend them. Maybe you even use a relationship you spent years building to help them get their foot in the door.

They get the job.

A while later, you need an introduction of your own. You reach out to that same friend, expecting they might be able to help.

They don’t.

Maybe they brush you off. Maybe they say they’ll get back to you and never do. Or maybe you realise they have no problem helping other people, just not you.

And suddenly, that favour you gave them feels very different.

So, when you help someone get an opportunity, do they owe you one when your turn comes?

That was the question we put to our community, and the responses leaned heavily towards one idea: help people because you genuinely want to, and be careful about attaching expectations to what you give.

What the Community Had to Say

1. Don’t Help With Expectations

A strong theme in the responses was that expectations can change the entire experience of helping someone.

One reader put it simply:

‘better to live with no expectations in mind. and help when you feel the need to.’

Another response was even more direct:

‘No they don’t owe anything in return…’

Psychologically, this connects to the norm of reciprocity, which is the social expectation that people should return favours, kindness or resources they receive from others.

It’s one of the reasons relationships work. Someone helps you today, you help them tomorrow. Someone recommends you for an opportunity, you remember them when another opportunity comes up.

The expectation itself is a normal part of social relationships. People keep track of what they give, what they receive and whether the relationship feels fair.

2. We’re All Swimming in an Ocean of Favours

One reader described this idea particularly well:

‘We’re all swimming in an ocean of favours. Help when you can-it may not be the same person who gives back, but someone will. We often expect the universe to return favours through the same channel we gave, but it doesn’t work that way. Expectation breeds resentment when unmet. Give freely, and trust the flow.’

Another person simply said:

‘Do good and throw it in the ocean’

There is a psychological idea behind this too. Social exchange theory looks at relationships partly through the exchanges of resources, support and effort that happen between people.

People naturally notice whether relationships feel balanced.

You help someone get a job, so you expect that person to help you get one later.

You recommend someone’s business, so you expect them to recommend yours.

You lend someone money, so you expect them to remember that the next time you’re struggling.

When that doesn’t happen, the disappointment can feel much bigger because we’re comparing the present situation with everything we previously gave.

When a Favour Becomes a Covert Contract

This is where covert contracts become interesting.

A covert contract is an unspoken agreement we create in our own minds.

You might think:

I helped you when you needed me, so you’ll be there when I need you.

The other person may never have agreed to those terms.

They might remember the favour. They might be grateful for it. They might genuinely appreciate what you did.

Gratitude doesn’t always produce the behaviour we expected.

Because the agreement was never discussed, there is no shared understanding of what the favour created between you.

This is often where resentment starts.

You feel betrayed.

They may have no idea they’ve betrayed you.

Why We Sometimes Take It Personally

There is another psychological process happening here: attribution.

When someone doesn’t help us, our brains naturally try to explain why.

They don’t care about me.

They’re selfish.

They only used me.

Sometimes those explanations will fit the person’s behaviour. Other situations have different explanations.

The person may be overwhelmed, afraid to put their own reputation on the line, unable to help, or simply operating with a completely different understanding of the relationship.

This is why it can help to separate the specific behaviour from the story we build around it.

Someone refusing one request gives you limited information.

Repeated behaviour gives you much more.

One reader captured that idea:

‘Don’t help people to get something back. But if they never return the favor when you need it, that tells you who they really are’

So How Do You Deal With It?

If you’re the person helping, start by being honest with yourself about what you’re giving.

If you know you would feel angry or betrayed if the person never returned the favour, acknowledge that expectation. You may be giving freely on the surface while privately expecting reciprocity.

If you’re comfortable helping without knowing whether you’ll ever receive anything back, that gives you a clearer emotional position.

If you need something specific in return, say so. A conversation about expectations gives both people the opportunity to agree on what they’re comfortable with.

If someone you’ve helped doesn’t show up for you later, look at the actual behaviour before deciding what it means.

Ask yourself:

What exactly happened?

Did they refuse, forget, delay or genuinely lack the ability to help?

Is this the first time they’ve disappointed you?

Is there a wider pattern of you supporting them while receiving very little support yourself?

These questions can help you move from an emotional reaction to a more accurate assessment of the relationship.

You can also adjust how much you invest in someone based on what you’ve observed. If a person repeatedly takes your support without offering support when you’re in need, that information can guide how much access, time and social capital you give them in the future.

There is also value in recognising the people who consistently reciprocate.

One reader put it simply:

‘Absolutely that’s your hommie hard to find.’

Those relationships matter because reciprocity builds trust. When people know they can depend on each other, favours become part of a wider relationship of mutual support.

The psychology of reciprocity gives us a useful way to understand why these situations can become emotionally complicated.

We naturally notice what we give and what we receive. We form expectations about the people close to us. When those expectations are broken, resentment can follow.

Knowing that can help us become more deliberate about the favours we give, the expectations we carry and the relationships we continue investing in.

Disclaimer: This column is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice. Psychological concepts discussed here are intended to provide general insight and are not a replacement for professional therapy or mental health support.

Haika Gerson is a mental health advocate with a background in psychology and a focus on modern relational wellness.

AfroPari app: Everything for gaming – in one mobile app

Mobile behavior has become dominant in Africa: more than 70% of all betting and gaming activity in the region takes place on smartphones. Although the main features are also available in the web version, the mobile app is becoming the primary way people interact thanks to its speed, convenience, and adaptation to user behavior. As a result, the smartphone has become the main device for interacting with products in the African betting and gaming market.

Today, users expect more from an app than just an attractive interface, as they also want real advantages in how it works. Fast loading, stable performance, and efficient data use are important. At the same time, the app needs to work smoothly across all devices, as the market includes hundreds of millions of users with diverse habits, access conditions, and devices. For some, mobile wallets are especially important; for others, saving mobile data is most important; and for others, quick transitions between screens without delays are key.

AfroPari takes all of these factors into account. The app, developed by the betting company, is designed around real user scenarios and the local context.

The AfroPari app isn’t just a mobile adaptation of the web version, but a standalone product designed to ensure speed, stability, and user convenience.

Stable performance even with a weak internet connection. The application is optimized for unstable connections, which is a key feature for the African market. Minimal lag and a stable connection are critical in Live mode, when every second counts.

Instant login using biometrics. Log in with your fingerprint or Face ID – no passwords or delays. It takes only a few seconds from launching the app to placing a bet!

Data savings. AfroPari is designed to be data-efficient, which is especially important if you’re on a limited plan. The app runs smoothly without eating up your valuable data.

Mobile payment betting tailored for the local market. The payment section has been adapted to accommodate popular payment methods in Africa, including mobile wallets. The process from logging in to the app to making a deposit or withdrawal is as user-friendly as possible and requires the fewest possible steps.

Personalized push notifications. Push notifications are tailored to your behavior: selected events, favorite teams, and preferred betting formats. They help ensure you never miss crucial matches or the latest bonuses.

Exclusive offers available only in the app. Some bonuses and promotional offers are available exclusively in the application, for example, the current App Install Promo.

Bonuses and app install promo

The main advantage of the AfroPari betting app in Africa is the personalized experience. Push notifications are tailored to user behavior, including selected events, teams, and bet types. This helps users not miss important matches and relevant bonuses. Some promos are only available in the app, for example, the current app install promo. To get the bonus, users just need to follow a few simple steps:

Log in or sign up in the app and tap ‘Take Part’ on the bonus page

Place a series of 10 bets in the app starting from $2,19

Within 24 hours, receive a free bet of up to $10,76 as a promo code, based on the average value of your bets

Products that simplify key actions and save users’ time quickly become the main channel of interaction. In betting, this role is increasingly taken by the app. It handles core actions faster and more conveniently than the web version.

Download the AfroPari app and turn every moment into a a chance to win!

Borega confident of making mark at W. Open Water event

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s rising swimming star Lorita Borega is confident of making a strong impression when she competes at the World Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championships in Santa Fe, Argentina.

The championships, scheduled for September 3 (today) to 6, will bring together some of the world’s leading young open-water swimmers, providing Borega with the biggest international test of her developing career.

Borega said she is optimistic about her chances after completing what she described as good preparations for the competition. ‘I have trained well and I feel ready for the competition. I know it will be a tough challenge because I will be competing against swimmers from different countries, but I have confidence in the preparations I have made,’ Borega said.

The North Coast Swimming Club swimmer said she would approach the competition with determination and focus, with her main objective being to produce her best performance and gain valuable experience at the highest level of junior open-water swimming.

The event is another major milestone for Borega, who is becoming increasingly recognised as one of Tanzania’s most promising young swimmers.

Her confidence comes after a breakthrough period in which she has continued to improve against stronger competition. In June, she became the first Tanzanian female swimmer to reach the semi-finals of the Africa Aquatics Zone IV Open Water Swimming Championships in Mauritius.

She then carried Tanzania’s hopes at the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games in Nairobi, where she won bronze in the women’s 14 to 17 100 metres freestyle in 1:11.92, giving the country its only swimming medal at the Games.

Borega said those experiences have strengthened her belief that she can compete against swimmers from outside Africa. ‘I have learnt a lot from the competitions I have taken part in this year. They have given me confidence and helped me understand what is required when competing at a higher level,’ she said.

For Borega, the Argentina championships will also provide an opportunity to measure her progress against a wider pool of international talent. World Aquatics’ entry list includes young swimmers such as Turkey’s Su Inal and Bolivia’s Carolina Quiroga, both entered in the women’s 7.5km event. Borega said she is not intimidated by the quality of the field and instead sees the competition as an opportunity to learn and challenge herself.

‘My target is to give my best, remain focused throughout the race and finish strongly. I want to use this opportunity to gain experience and show what I can do,’ she said.

Her appearance in Santa Fe marks another important step in a journey that has already seen her break new ground for Tanzanian swimming.

Relief as lion terrorising villagers is shot dead

Mufindi. Residents of 10 wards in Mufindi District, Iringa Region, say they can now resume normal activities after a stray lion that had killed livestock and caused fear in their communities was shot dead by wildlife authorities.

The lion had been roaming the district since July 18, 2026, raiding residential areas and preying on livestock, according to Mufindi District Council Environment and Natural Resources Officer Aglibert Ngailo.

It was killed in Mwikitila Village, Ifwagi Ward, following efforts by the Government in collaboration with the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (Tawa).

The affected wards are Nyololo, Matanana, Mbalamaziwa, Malangali, Maduma, Ihowanza, Ifwagi, Ikongosi, Bumilayunga and Itimbo.

Mr Ngailo said the lion killed 12 cattle, 17 goats and nine pigs during the period it roamed the district.

For residents, the losses affected both household incomes and their sense of security.

Pius Kalinga, a resident of Matanana, said livestock keepers lived with uncertainty because they did not know when their animals would be attacked.

‘Livestock is our livelihood and the main source of income for our families. When you hear that a lion is near your village, you lose peace of mind because every day you wonder if your animals will be safe or become its next meal,’ he said.

He said some livestock keepers took additional precautions when grazing and guarding their animals, particularly in the evening and at night.

Oliva Mgovano, a resident of Mtiri, said the lion’s presence threatened families that depended on livestock to meet basic needs.

‘In this area, livestock is how we earn money to pay for our children’s school fees, buy food and meet other household needs. When we heard the lion was still wandering around killing cattle, goats and pigs, everyone was worried about their property,’ she said.

For Mashaka Fweni, concern about human safety was greater than the loss of livestock.

‘We were terrified, especially when we thought about our children. Children walk to school, play or move around the village, and you never knew where the lion was or when it might appear,’ he said.

He said parents repeatedly warned their children to be cautious and avoid moving alone in areas considered unsafe.

‘It was a double blow-fear for our lives and fear for our economic survival. While worrying about whether your children were safe, you were also worrying about your livestock, which is your livelihood. The killing of the lion has lifted a heavy burden from our shoulders,’ Mr Fweni said.

The residents said the incident had also highlighted the need for communities to remain alert and promptly report cases of wildlife entering human settlements.

Mufindi District Council Chairman Castory Masangula urged residents to return to their normal activities following the killing of the lion.

He said the Government would continue working with wildlife authorities to protect people and property and respond when wild animals enter residential areas.

Residents in the affected wards have since resumed their daily activities after more than six weeks of dealing with the threat posed by the stray lion.