News / National
Second elephant attack victim dies
31 May 2016 at 01:43hrs | Views
A MAN who was battling for his life at Mpilo Central Hospital's intensive care unit following an attack by an elephant in Bubi, has died. Lipson Mhlanga, 69, died yesterday, days after his employee Lucky Magasa, 31, died on the spot when an elephant attacked them while they were working in the fields.
Bubi Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Patson Mlilo said council was assisting the bereaved family with burial expenses.
"As per our usual mandate, council will assist with burial expenses. This is sad; two lives have been lost from the elephant attack. Mhlanga was hospitalised throughout the week with his family obviously struggling to pay the bills, but all their efforts have gone to waste now," he said.
Mlilo said Mhlanga sustained serious head injuries and multiple injuries all over the body. He said a witness, Julita Dube, who had also been working in a neighbouring field, saw the charging elephant attacking the two men.
Magasa died on the spot following the attack that saw him being dragged for over 30 metres by the jumbo before it left him for dead. "A total of eight elephants have been spotted in the area and we appeal to the Department of National Parks to come down and take immediate measures to safeguard people's lives.
"Awareness campaigns are being carried out in the area with villagers being warned to avoid walking in bushy areas until those elephants are cleared from Siganda area by the national parks personnel," said Mlilo.
Bubi Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Patson Mlilo said council was assisting the bereaved family with burial expenses.
"As per our usual mandate, council will assist with burial expenses. This is sad; two lives have been lost from the elephant attack. Mhlanga was hospitalised throughout the week with his family obviously struggling to pay the bills, but all their efforts have gone to waste now," he said.
Mlilo said Mhlanga sustained serious head injuries and multiple injuries all over the body. He said a witness, Julita Dube, who had also been working in a neighbouring field, saw the charging elephant attacking the two men.
Magasa died on the spot following the attack that saw him being dragged for over 30 metres by the jumbo before it left him for dead. "A total of eight elephants have been spotted in the area and we appeal to the Department of National Parks to come down and take immediate measures to safeguard people's lives.
"Awareness campaigns are being carried out in the area with villagers being warned to avoid walking in bushy areas until those elephants are cleared from Siganda area by the national parks personnel," said Mlilo.
Source - chronicle
