MDLANKOMO, Mpumalanga – Residents of Mdlankomo are living in fear after a lion attacked and killed a 42-year-old small-scale cattle farmer, Muzi Mthombothi, who had gone out to investigate what was troubling his herd.
According to Mthombothi’s account, the lion pounced on him just outside his home when he went to look as his cattle came under attack.
Locals suspect it escaped from the Kruger National Park.
Community members expressed deep fear following the incident. “We are scared because our children here are young. They walk to the shop at Emandi 10. I am really frightened. Some are even afraid to walk in the afternoon because they say the lions are on the prowl,” one resident said.
Farmer Given Sambo, who has lost many cattle over the years to lions, blamed Kruger National Park authorities for failing to repair broken fences. “They should open case 101 at the place where it exits. The lion ate our cattle at home. For seven years now, they have not paid for the cow that was eaten. One will die without even receiving compensation. You can see for yourself—far away, where it opens, it should be closed,” Sambo said.
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency has intervened. Last week, a community meeting was convened by the National Park at the Espanyana community hall, where Mthombothi was also in attendance. The meeting addressed ongoing human-wildlife conflict affecting communities bordering protected areas.
At least 37 million rand has been allocated to a project that will see a high-quality fence installed to help prevent human-wildlife conflict and illegal activities within the protected areas. Officials are currently in the area conducting assessments of the situation and much-needed interventions.