Limpopo police have opened an inquest docket after a 50-year-old man was allegedly killed by a buffalo on a farm in the Laphalale area. The incident reportedly happened on Thursday 30 June 2022 on a farm at Steenbokpan around 8am.
The 50-year-old man was reportedly with the farm owner and a photographer when the buffalo attacked him after the farm owner allegedly fired shots at the buffalo, resulting in the man being killed instantly.
“Although the farm owner tried to rescue him by firing some shots at the buffalo, subsequently the buffalo chased and attacked him as well. He escaped by climbing on the tree and the photographer also managed to keep safe distance,” the statement reads.
“Emergency services including the police were summoned to the scene and a 50-year-old man was certified dead and identified as Benjamin de Bruyn. The owner was then taken to the hospital for medical treatment.”
Police have called on farmers and tourists to be extra cautious and exercise extreme care around wild animals. “Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner, calls on the communities precisely the farmers and tourists to be extra cautious when around such animals to avoid loss of lives. The police investigations are continuing,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mamphaswa Seabi, the police spokesperson.