UPDATE: ‘Poacher’ killed by lions identified
The man who was allegedly mauled by a group of lions in a private game reserve near Hoedspruit ,was positively identified.
The incident happened on February 9.
Read: HOEDSPRUIT: Man (46) mauled to death by lions
The deceased was identified as David Baloyi aged 50, from Masingiri area at Mavudza Village in Mozambique.
His head was among the remains that were found at the scene
The deceased was positively identified at the Maphutha Malatji Hospital Mortuary in Namakgale outside Phalaborwa by his sister-in-law who is staying in South Africa at Humulani village, according to the police.
Read: UPDATE: Lion mauling case in Hoedspruit takes a turn
‘The other two managed to escape the attack and fled back to Mozambique. They reported the ordeal to the family,’ the police said.
The sister-in-law alleged that she received a call from her family members in Mozambique who gave her the report from the two men that the deceased was killed by lions in South Africa and she must go and check with the Police.
Baloyi’s half-eaten body was recovered on Ingwelala reserve.
Initial reports suggested that the man was a farm worker after a broken down tractor was found close to the scene.
The worker was subsequently found alive and well the following day, which led to suspicions that the deceased might have been a poacher after a hunting rifle and ammunition was found in the vicinity of the scene.
The identification of the man was made possible as, “his head was among the remains that were found at the scene,” this according to Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, Limpopo province police spokesperson. Police investigations continue into the possibility of Baloyi being a poacher.
