A security guard was killed by an elephant in the early hours of this morning, 8 June at around 04:00 at Foskor Mine, in the Zicornia South section.

The spokesperson of Foskor, Frans Mokhondo, explained to the Herald that the security guard, who is employed by SAMREU Security Services Company that offers services to Foskor, was trampled by an elephant.

“According to a report, the security guard was busy patrolling when another guard heard an elephant trumpets. He tried to warn him so that he can run to the guard room but unfortunately it did not work. He then searched for him and found his body not far from his guard room. The elephant was already gone,” Mokhondo told the Herald.

He mentioned that they suspect that the elephant moved towards the  Lepelle Northern Water Phalaborwa Plant side.

The Supervisor of SAMREU, who wishes to stay anonymous, told the Herald that the security guard died on the scene.

“We never came across such an incident. I cannot confirm what would be the next move,” he said.

This incident came after 14 lions were also on the loose in the Phalaborwa area.

Read: Phalaborwa: KNP rangers locate 14 free-roaming lions

A leopard also killed a staff member’s son on Wednesday night, 5 June at the Malelane technical services living quarters.

Read: KNP: 2-year-old mauled to death by leopard in Malelane camp