Elephant Kills Tutume Man
Kaelo Kebotse | Monday June 17, 2019 15:21
The deceased was at Kutamogore cattle post near Dukwi village after a hunting expedition went wrong.
According to assistant station commander, Azhani Mokokomane, the deceased and his ally had gone on an elephant hunting expedition after a jumbo destroyed their property at the cattle post. “The incident took place on Thursday at around 10.30am while the body of the deceased was found in the evening at around 5.30pm.
The deceased’s companion escaped,” Mokokomane said. Mokokomane said the duo hatched a plan to kill the elephant on Wednesday after it damaged their property. The animal, according to Mokokomane, succumbed to the hail of bullets that were pumped on it on Friday morning.
Mokokomane said the duo shot the elephant on Wednesday but it escaped. The deceased and his accomplice, Mokokomane said, then tracked it until they found it on Thursday.
“They shot it twice before it attacked them. The elephant was found dead on Friday. We are still investigating if the gun or guns that were used to kill the elephant were licensed or not. We have launched a broad investigation to ascertain what may have happened.
We advise members of the public to report any sighting of wild animals that may endanger their lives to wildlife authorities or the nearest police station,” a worried Mokokomane said. The Kutamogore incident comes after President Mokgweetsi Masisi recently responded to an American heckler while on a working visit in the US following the death of Balisi Sebudubudu, 38, who was killed by an elephant in Semolale.
“I write this message with deep sadness. Last night at around 3am US time, I was awoken by a phone call from back home informing me of the passing of Rre Balisi Sebudubudu from Semolale in Bobirwa, who was brutally attacked and killed by an elephant. This happened while he and other young men from the village were sent to herd some cattle for the burial of his older brother who had passed on due to a short illness.
The funeral proceedings have since been stopped so a grave is dug for him, so both, him and his brother will be buried today (June 2).
This tragedy comes virtually 24 hours after I responded to an elephant protestor in Las Vegas, and now a brother has fallen.
I send my deepest condolences to the Sebudubudu family for their loss and may the Lord be with them during this time of grieving,” the message read.