Lungani Zungu
At first the locals from the Vryheid KZN area thought it was a joke – but the smiles have been wiped off their faces as stray lions have been preying on cows and goats.
Thami Magwaza of Ngenatsheni village said he found his cow dead two weeks ago.
“I could see from the wounds that the cow had been attacked by a lion,” he said.
“It is painful that my cow was eaten by lions instead of the family being able to sell it.”
He said he could have sold the cow for R13,000.
Another villager, Xolani Sibiya, was certain that the lions were behind the deaths of cows and goats.
“I saw two lions myself crossing the street into the bushes about two weeks ago.”
When he spotted the animals, he immediately called Ezemvelo Wildlife.
Officials from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife came and told them not to attack the lions as this would place their lives in danger.
“We live in fear. We now walk in groups when we come back from work,” said Sibiya.
He said they did not know where the lions came from.
Local chief Langa Zulu told Scrolla.Africa that many families had come to report that their animals had been killed.
Spokesperson for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Musa Mntambo said they had captured two lions and were not aware of others but locals insist that more lions were roaming the area.
Picture source: Wildlife Trip
