In the rural landscape of Hwedza, Mashonaland East province, the distinct sound of an axe chopping wood echoes across the Mhare River. Moments later, the heavy thud of a giant tree crashing to the ground follows, signaling the latest casualty in the growing exploitation of the mumvee tree, scientifically known as Kigelia africana.
This time, it’s not a tobacco farmer preparing firewood for curing tobacco. Instead, the target is a towering mumvee tree, also known as the sausage tree due to its unique elongated fruits. The tree is being debarked, and its fruits are carefully harvested and loaded into a scotchcart, ready for processing.
“I have a ready market in Harare. Some people come here to buy dried bark or its powder for resale as it has proved to be a medicine,” says 38-year-old Romeo Chisunga, a resident of Hwedza South constituency.
The discovery of the mumvee tree’s medicinal properties has sparked a surge in demand across Zimbabwe, particularly in urban markets. This newfound interest has led to a rush among rural communities to harvest and sell parts of the tree, with the rare species becoming a valuable commodity.
As the exploitation of the mumvee tree continues to spread, it raises concerns about the sustainability of this practice and the potential impact on the environment and biodiversity in the region.
