Matsulu C residents say yet another elephant was roaming in the area
The elephant was seen on the evening of Monday February 19 and it is said to have returned to the KNP early on Tuesday February 20.
The community members of Matsulu C (Sibuyile Section) say their troubles of elephants roaming freely in their yards are not over. On Monday February 19, they said yet another elephant escaped from the Kruger National Park (KNP) and roamed about in their yards.
A community member, John Sithole, told the newspaper that the elephant appeared in Sibuyile at about 20:00.
“It was roaming around until about 02:00. We do not know what to do anymore. We are not safe and we are urging the KNP and MTPA [Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency] to get a permanent intervention for the community of Matsulu. That fence needs to be fixed.”
The next day, on Tuesday February 20, Sithole sent photos to the newspaper and informed it that a team was busy repairing the fence.
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According to the KNP’s spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, the park is aware of the elephant that escaped on Monday. “We were made aware last night, and our colleagues with whom we work at MTPA kept monitoring it until it went back.” Phaahla said they have scheduled a meeting with all stakeholders to find a lasting solution and will communicate the outcome.
“We notified the CPF representatives, who in turn will notify relevant officials who will provide guidance. Communities should allow them to do their work as they are capable of handling such situations. These animals belong to all of us South Africans, including community members, therefore, as the community, we need to treat them with respect and not harm them. Report any vandalism or enticement with fruits by criminals to the police and the MTPA,” he said.
Jacob Siboza, the chairperson of Matsulu and Ehlanzeni District CPF, confirmed the roaming elephant, and urged the community to allow the MTPA and the KNP to play their roles without any interference.
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According to Siboza he is not happy about how the community behaves towards the escaped elephants. “Due the residents behaviour we do not receive help properly. The community sometimes stops the MTPA team from doing their work by making several demands. They sometimes demand that the team stay there until the animal returns, which makes it hard for them to do their work. This team is made up of professionals who are well trained and they know their work.”
Siboza confirmed that the KNP was indeed arranging an awareness campaign, and that he is communicating with them.
Simphiwe Shungube, the MTPA’s spokesperson, previously said the four elephants that had been spotted in Sibuyile Section in January had been pushed back into the KNP’s Stolznek section. By the time of publication, Shungube had not responded to the paper’s enquiries regarding the elephant that was seen on Monday.
