LIMPOPO – Livestock farmers in villages surrounding Giyani and Phalaborwa, including Phalaubeni, Mbaula, Hlomela and Makhuva, want the Kruger National Park (KNP) to compensate them for their cattle which were shot in the park.

The farmers say the fence between themselves and the KNP has been damaged for more than two years giving their cattle access to the KNP.

They blame theft, poachers and wildlife for damaging the fence.

This comes after a herd of cattle were spotted at the Sable Dam in the KNP, about 15km from the Phalaborwa Gate on September 6. The herd was chased away by a helicopter and had to be killed by the state veterinarian. According to reports, attempts to identify the owners of the cattle were unsuccessful.

The farmers say cattle cross into the park without any hindrance. Elephants also cross from the park to local villages and there have been multiple incidences where locals killed elephants, either for their safety or as food.

Letter Mabunda, spokesperson of the livestock farmers, says 52 of their cows are missing, but the park says they only shot 28, another 22 ran away and they do not know their whereabouts.

“First the park needs to fix the fence issue, nothing is stopping our livestock from crossing into the KNP. An old law in the park says when domestic animals enter the park, the park will execute it because they carry diseases. This cannot apply in this case because there is no fence,” he says.

“To say that they were not able to shoot the cattle that ran away, cannot be correct as they have helicopters, they could have traced their whereabouts,” Mabunda explains.

Meanwhile Jonathan Ngoveni, secretary of the Mthikhule Tribal Authority, says they are disappointed at how the issue was handled.

“There have been countless incidences where livestock were being shot by the park’s authorities or by killed by lions. It does not seem as though the fence issue can be fixed, we have tried engaging with the stakeholders, but still do not have a way forward,” he says.

JP Louw, Sanparks spokesperson, says that they only act on the authority of the state veterinary in instances of this nature.

“Part of the challenge we face is that in some instances community members remove fences. The fence material is sometimes found in snares which harms both cattle and wildlife. We are engaged in efforts to find sustainable solutions aimed at avoiding the continued removal of fences,” he concludes.

The Herald will continue to update the story as the livestock owners are awaiting a response from the KNP.

After a meeting last week, a Sanparks representative said he awaits feedback to indicate if they will remunerate the farmers.