Cape Town – A game ranger, Sphamandla Phiwayinkosi Mthembu, aged 31, was attacked and killed by a hippo during a foot patrol at Mkhuze Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday.
Mthembu was patrolling with three colleagues to investigate reports of people setting snares in the area.
The group decided to split up, and shortly afterward, a colleague heard a gunshot from Mthembu’s direction.
“Within a few minutes, one of Mthembu’s colleague heard a gunshot from Mthembu’s direction. When he went to investigate, he saw a hippo attacking Mthembu.
“Mthembu’s colleague started shooting at the hippo until it died.
“Mthembu was still alive when the hippo died, and managed to speak to his colleagues before he sadly succumbed to his injuries whilst they were waiting for assistance,” Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife said.
The Acting CEO of Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, Sihle Mkhize, conveyed his sincere condolences to the family of Mthembu.
The tragedy was compounded by the recent loss of Mthembu’s child.
“My heart broke when I heard of this incident, and finding the words to say to the family was made more difficult when I realised that Mthembu had recently lost his child,” Mkhize said.
“His family was still trying to come to terms with the loss of a child, and this unfortunate incident happened. My condolences to his partner, remaining child and the Mthembu family.”
The funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
