The community of Empakeni, just outside Pienaar, sleeps with one eye open in fear of wild animals that roam the streets.
This community, situated right on the border of the Mthethomusha Game Reserve, said they have tried in vain to get the attention of all the relevant authorities and stakeholders involved to address their concerns.
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Alfred Phiri, a community member who first alerted this paper after claiming that one of his cows was attacked and killed by a leopard, said they literally live with wild animals, such as lions, elephants and leopards.
“The problem started after the park was seemingly neglected, with the fencing line completely collapsed. We don’t know what destroyed or damaged the fence which served as a defence line between the community and the park’s wild animals.
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He said meetings between the community, caretakers of the park and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency were held, but failed to reach any amicable solutions.
This paper contacted one of the community leaders, Shadrack Magagula, who also confirmed these revelations and arranged a tour along the damaged fence.
“Everything you heard about this neglected park is true. As you can see, the fence was damaged a long time ago and nothing was done to fix it.
“People and their livestock no longer graze freely here because there have been attacks and now and then you see elephants strolling next to the damaged fence,” he said. The MTPA was unavailable for comment at the time going to press.
