27 Jun 2023

A 37-year-old man has died following an attack by a lion at Moruleng cattlepost, some 30 kilometres East of Tsau on Sunday.

Sehithwa Police Station commander, Superintendent Nshaki Mabophiwa confirmed the incident in an interview, noting that they received a report from the deceased’s brother around 2:30pm.

Supt. Mabophiwa said the deceased’s brother told the police that they heard two lions roaring some few kilometres from their homestead at night and the following day they took their father’s gun to hunt them down.

While in the bush, he said the duo spotted two male lions resting under a tree, which they suspected to have killed one of their donkeys.

The police learnt that the deceased opened fire at the lions, but missed the target and fired another shot, whose bullet injured one of the lions.

“The deceased is said to have run out of bullets and while loading more, the injured lion attacked him, leaving him with serious injuries all over the body while the brother ran for his life,” Supt Mabophiwa said.

He added that after receiving the report, police officers rushed to the scene and found the deceased lying on the ground motionless. He was then rushed to Tsau Clinic, where he was certified dead upon arrival.

While the police continue with investigations, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks has been notified about the incident and have embarked on a search for the said lions, because they now pose danger to the community. Ends