UPDATE: Diabetes caused Mpumalanga man to die after lion attack

The owner of two white lions has been left reeling after one lion attacked a man, who later died.

Mpumalanga department of health spokesperson Dumisane Mulamele said: “Justice Xolani Cebekhulu, 49, passed away in Rob Ferreira Hospital on Monday after he was attacked by a white lion last week. However, he did not die directly as a result of his injuries, but as a result of his diabetes.”

READ MORE: Mpumalanga man dies after lion attack

Mulamele said Justice had moderate injuries and died of other causes.

Hoedspruit police spokesperson Brigadier Motlapela Mojapelo said the attack took place in Hoedspruit when two white lions from Lion Treetop Lodge crossed to the neighbouring property of Ngama Lodge. They used a maroela tree near the fence to climb from their enclosure to the lodge, where they encountered Cebekhulu and a colleague, Given Maladji, collecting firewood.

Maladji was picking up wood in another part of the veld.

“The one lioness pounced on the victim, while the other watched,” he said.

Cebekhulu started screaming, and Maladji came running. He started throwing stones at the lions and screamed.

The animals fled, and Maladji helped Cebekhulu towards the compound. With his help, Cebekhulu could still walk. Some of the staff heard the screaming and came to help. The owner was called. Cebekhulu sustained injuries to the leg, chest and stomach. He was airlifted to Rob Ferreira Hospital. Maladji was unharmed.

The two-year-old lionesses, Tana and Demi, belong to West Mathewson. He told Lowvelder they were truly shocked when they heard that Justice had passed away.

“We saw his injuries. There was a gash on his upper thigh. We did not think it was life-threatening, and to hear that he had passed away was the worst thing,” he said.

West’s wife, Gill, said that Mathewson saw Cebekhulu’s injuries in the early stages.

“There was a gash in his upper thigh. His wounds, however, were not life-threatening. That is why it was so difficult to believe he died. This is the worst thing that could have happened,” she said.

Gill added that their business partner in Mbombela visited him daily, except for on the day of his death. He took him toiletries and remarked to her that Cebekhulu was quite upbeat.

She referred to friends of the deceased who related to her how he still was chatting and laughing when they visited him, not knowing two days later he would pass on.

Devon Scott, owner of Ngama Lodge, said the loss was a big shock.

“He was a well-loved colleague and added real value to the staff. We lost someone who meant a lot to others.”

They will have a proper burial for Cebekhulu this weekend.

What now?

Mathewson said that they rescued the two lionesses from a life of canned hunting when they were five days old.

“We use the lions as part of an educational programme. They are very friendly and have never harmed anyone. I really don’t know how this could have happened. It is still very difficult for me to believe this happend.”

Since the attack, he has extended the electrified fence to fortify the enclosure.

Gill mentioned that at no stage did her husband think about putting the lions down after the attack.

“West works with them all the time. He knows them well.”

When he was recently slated about what he was trying to do with Tana and Demi, he said, “I am an avid conservationist. I have always been against canned hunting and the breeding of lions. These animals were donated to me, not bought.”

He particularly chose two lionesses because he did not want to breed white lions.

Mathewson said he raised the white lions to teach animal lovers more about their plight. Close to 2 000 people have walked with the lions.

They are, however, not allowed to play with them.

He was recently offered a considerable amount of money for them but declined the offer.

– Caxton News Service

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.