South Africa: Elephants Kill Immigrant Near Kruger Park

24 January 2002
South African Press Association

Giyani — A 28-year-old illegal immigrant from Mozambique was killed in an encounter with five elephants near Giyani outside the Kruger National Park on Wednesday, police said.

Inspector Moatshe Ngoepe said three illegal immigrants from Mozambique had entered South Africa though the Kruger National Park. After making it though the park, they decided to sleep near Giyani. On awaking they were confronted by five elephants.

The men fled in different directions. According to Ngoepe, the elephants pursued one of the men, Fernado Shishongi, and trampled him to death. The other two men alerted local residents who contacted the police.

Ngoepe said rangers from the Department of Environmental affairs went on a search and found the mutilated body of Shishongi. Ngoepe said the rangers were searching for the five elephants.

Kruger National Park spokesman William Mabasa could not confirm whether the elephants were from the park itself.

Ngoepe said the two illegal immigrants were in police custody and were being questioned. Police would liaise with the Department of Home Affairs on deporting them.

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