02 Apr 2014

Shakawe police are investigating an incident in which a 50-year-old man was found dead after an attack by an elephant.

Superintendent Goitsemodimo Molapisi confirmed the incident that took place at Shongashonga cattle post 40 km from Shakawe.

He said they received a report around 9:30 P.m on April 1 from someone who was with the deceased at the field trying to scare away the elephants which had been terrorising them.

Superintendent Molapisi said the deceased's friend explained that the elephants had been destroying their crops and they tried to scare them away. Unfortunately, one the elephants attacked them while others went away.

He said the elephant followed them and caught the deceased, pulled him down and started trampling on him. He further said after finishing him off, the elephant pulled down some trees and pilled them on top of the deceased.

He said a friend who had ran for his life went back to check on his companion and found him lying on the ground cover by trees. Superintendent Molapisi said the police rushed to the scene and indeed found the man under a canopy of trees.

He said the deceased was rushed to Shakawe clinic where he was certified dead. Superintendent Molapisi appealed to the communities to be careful while at the fields. Elephants room around during this season of harvesting because of the crops.

He also appealed to them to report elephants which destroy their fields to the police or wildlife department rather than risking their lives by trying to scare them. ENDS