Baboons, vendors clash over mangoes

Normally it is said there is a cat and mouse game, but in Hwange it has been redefined as playing a vendor and baboon game.

As Sijabuliso Ndlovu reports, the ripening of the mango fruit has triggered running battles between baboons and vendors in the mining town of Hwange.

The season of the mango fruit is now upon us and the mining town of Hwange is no exception.

It could be inside a yard, on the streets or even in the bush, anyone can access mangoes in the mining town.

The control of the mango fruit, however, is being contested by two centres of power - baboons and vendors!

Vendors gather their fruit for sale, while baboons watch from a distance.

But vending is hustling by its very nature. They dice with death, crossing the road in front of oncoming traffic just to reach the customer first.

Once the vendors leave the fruits unattended, baboons strike in a flash and disappear into the bush with the mangoes.

While humans feel they are the owners of the mangoes, one cannot help but feel for the baboons as they also have a rightful claim to the fruits.

After all, it is mother nature's provisions and everyone deserves a share.