By Celani Sikhakhane
A 21-year-old man is fighting for his life in an Empangeni hospital after a herd of elephants attacked him.
Mzobanzi Buthelezi from Ekudubekeni in KwaCeza, near Ulundi in northern KwaZulu-Natal, had gone to fetch cattle from their grazing grounds on Friday. But he never came back.
He was found badly injured on Saturday, with wounds to his thighs and groin.
Community member Xolani Msimango told Scrolla.Africa that Buthelezi was found by another young man who was looking for the cattle.
“He heard him crying in the middle of the forest. This is where he found Buthelezi, who had been injured by the herd.
“There are about 60 elephants in the herd that escaped from the Mawana Game Reserve when the fence was destroyed.
“The whole community is under siege from these elephants,” said Msimango. “They have been roaming around our area since 2018 after the death of Mawana owner, Cornelius van der Walt, in 2017.”
Msimango said Buthelezi was lucky to be alive and that Van der Walt’s son-in-law, Beyers Coetzee, was killed by the same elephants a few years back.
Johannes Nuut of the Mawana Game Reserve told Scrolla.Africa that they visited Buthelezi in hospital on Tuesday.
“We are going to create an account for him and raise funds to assist him with his medical bills.
“It’s a painful experience that he had to endure. On our part we are busy fundraising to get a fence that will help to stop these elephants escaping,” said Nuut.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mtambo said they knew about the recent incident but could not act because the game reserve is privately owned.
Pictured above: Mzobanzi Buthelezi from KwaCeza who was found in the forest fighting for his life after being attacked by elephants.
Image source: Supplied
