15 Nov 2016

A 55-year- old man of Rakops was killed by an elephant at Matsiara cattle post on November 10.

According to Superintendent Makgophe Oageng, the deceased who is from Majashango ward in Rakops, got attacked on his way to visit his neighbours.

In an interview with the deceased’s brother, Mr Armstrong Mosweu, said they were alerted by a neighbour on November 11.

Mr Mosweu said the neighbour had followed the footprints of the elephants to check if they had not damaged their properties when he saw the footprints of the deceased.

Mr Mosweu said the neighbour then followed the footprints, which led him to a human figure lying down whom he identified as his neighbour.  According to Mr Mosweu the elephant dragged the deceased for a distance of about two metres, and stepped on his back.

He said the deceased was already dead when they arrived at the scene.

Mr Mosweu said the family has been deeply saddened by the incident, saying it has proved that elephants were a danger to their lives.

The deceased was taken for post mortem examination while funeral arrangements were on-going.

Supt Oageng advised the residents against reacting in anger towards the elephants by trying to shoot them as that would make them too dangerous to their lives.

He said an elephant could not be killed by a single bullet or just any type of bullet.

He encouraged them to report to wildlife officers and the police whenever they encounter incidents of elephants in their neighbourhood. BOPA