Durban – The IFP has called on the Public Protector's office to intervene in the issue of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HIP) after lions that escaped continually terrorise neighbouring areas.
The IFP’s caucus chief whip in the KZN legislature, Blessed Gwala, said the ANC government in KZN had failed to protect its citizens as people living in the areas surrounding the park have lost their lives and livestock.
“As the IFP, we are calling for the Public Protector’s office to intervene,” Gwala said.
He said that former public protector Thuli Madonsela inspected the quality of the fencing around the park in 2014 but, unfortunately, a conclusive report was not delivered.
The IFP caucus in the KZN legislature, accompanied by local IFP leadership, received a first-hand account of events at Okhukho at the Ulundi Local Municipality last week, when they embarked on a listening campaign. The leadership was left speechless as locals told of their suffering over the past two decades.
Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Sboniso Duma’s visit did not yield any results; nothing concrete was reported from the meeting.
“In our view it was merely another PR stunt, something that his preceding MECs have attempted in the past. Unfortunately, the affected communities continue to be victims of negligence on the part of the ruling party. This, as another video of a lion roaming the streets of Okhukho went viral and residents of these communities continue to live in constant fear,” Gwala said.
He said that locals laid the blame at the feet of the unstable management of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, where board members have been chopping and changing over the years. They didn't spare the Department of Economic Development and Tourism Affairs either, as one victim claimed former MEC Ravi Pillay promised to assist him after he lost his livestock.
“As the IFP, we will continue to highlight the plight of these communities and do everything possible to ensure that they are able to live in safety,” Gwala added.
Sekubonakale ibhubesi lizitanasela eNjomelwane, oLundi. I-video: Ithunyelwe pic.twitter.com/IeWGEIZMv9
— Isolezwe Newspaper (@IsolezweNews) August 31, 2022
On Wednesday, Daily News’s sister publication Isolezwe shared a video of a lion walking near a road.
Isolezwe said the video was sent by Okhukho and Nqulwane Community Committee chairperson Msizi Myaka.
Isolezwe reported that the men went out to search for a lion in areas that make up the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, after it was seen walking in eNjomelwane, in Ulundi, on Wednesday morning.
Okhukho and Nqulwane Community Committee secretary Smilo Khanyile said they would not rest until the lion was found.
“The situation is still difficult and we are always afraid of being attacked by animals, which is why we decided to fence around the reserve because if the animals are out they are dangerous. We will send a full report when we get down here on the mountain which will explain everything we want and what the minister said to us as he came yesterday (on Tuesday),” Khanyile said.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has sent a team to look for the lion that was seen in Njomelwane.
Spokesperson Musa Mntambo said they would count the lions in the reserve to make sure none were missing.
Daily News