By Thembi Siaga
MALAMULELE-Hundreds of villagers from Matiyani village outside Punda Maria under Collins Chabane municipality flocked to the mountain where four elephants were killed to collect their share of the meat.
Christmas came early as residents were supplied with substantial amounts of meat on Monday, 9 September.
Due to the porous fence at the Kruger National Park, the elephants found themselves in the village, posing danger to the residents.
It’s reported that rangers were alerted by residents who first saw the elephants and subsequently killed them.
Another elephant, along with its calf, escaped and returned to Kruger National Park.
Some residents, who received their share of the meat, said they’ve stored it in fridges, cooked it, made biltong, and sold some.
A 34-year-old resident told our reporter that they ran to the scene with buckets, sacks, and cooler boxes to collect meat.
“It was a day we would never forget, and the biltong is delicious, but elephant blood smells bad,” she said.
Community leader Herry Chauke noted that the village has, for the past 20 years, been troubled by elephants.
“Years back, a woman was killed by an elephant while ploughing. The presence of elephants in the villages threatens residents who go out to collect firewood and farmers,” Chauke said.
Residents complained that during the morula season, elephants come to the village attracted by the smell of the fruit, causing trouble.
Chauke said efforts are underway to find alternative means to ensure the community benefits economically.
Zaid Kalla, spokesman for the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment, and Tourism, confirmed that the department had successfully culled four elephants.
“They had become a major threat to residents. The presence of elephants posed inherent danger. It’s our duty to ensure people enjoy their right to live in a safe and secure environment at all times,” Kalla said.
