22 Jul 2021

 Tonota police have confirmed an incident in which a 60 year-old man of Semotswane was trampled to death by an elephant recently.

The incident occurred near Dikgatlhong Dam.

Tonota Police station commander, Superintendent Oteng Ngada told BOPA that the deceased and others were returning from a fishing expedition at Dikgatlhong Dam when a cab they were travelling in could not cross a stream, forcing the deceased and company to alight and give it a push.

He said it was at that point when an elephant appeared, charged at and killed him on the spot while others sustained minor injuries.

Superintendent Ngada said the other two who remained in the car escaped unhurt.

He urged the public to be vigilant in areas infested with animals such as Dikgatlhong Dam, to which animals were drawn to because of water.

Superintendent Ngada said a post mortem was conducted at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital while the incident was the first  this year in his area of jurisdiction.

On other issues, Superintendent Ngada said they registered eight cases involving women aged 28-62 who were caught selling home brewed alcohol without permits.

He said they had, in police custody, a 34 year-old man for illegally selling alcohol. He said the man who originated from Mandunyane was found in possession of 270 bottles of king stallion alcohol believed to have been transported into the country through ungazetted points.

Superintendent Ngada said the alcohol was estimated to cost more than P5 400.

He reminded the public to protect themselves against the COVID-19 which continued to claim lives. ends