Mpumalanga man dies after lion attack

A Mpumalanga man has died from lion attack, but the health department says the man died from other causes and not his injuries.

Qebekhulu Justice passed away in Rob Ferreira Hospital on Monday after he was attacked by a white lion last week, Lowvelder reported.

Mpumalanga department of health spokesperson Dumisane Mulamela said he did not die directly as a result of his injures but of his diabetes.

“He had moderate injuries and died of other causes,” Malamule added.

The attack took place in Hoedspruit when two white lions from Lion Tree Top Lodge crossed to the neighbouring property of Ngama Lodge by climbing a maroela tree, where they encountered Justice and a friend collecting firewood.

Mojapelo Hoedspruit police spokesperson Brigadier Motlapela confirmed that the friend was also attacked, and treated at a local hospital. Justice was airlifted to Rob Ferreira Hospital.

Lion Tree Top Lodge owner West Mathweson said they were truly shocked when they heard that Justice had passed away as his friends recounted to them how he was sitting up and laughing in the hospital two days before his death.

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

– Caxton News Service

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