Eskom sends its own investigate rhebok’s death
After the alleged poaching of a grey rhebok by subcontractors of Eskom at Paardeplaats Nature Reserve outside town, one of Eskom’s employees, Mr Monday Nyathi, was sent out to investigate the matter.
LYDENBURG – After the alleged poaching of a grey rhebok by subcontractors of Eskom at Paardeplaats Nature Reserve outside town, one of Eskom’s employees, Mr Monday Nyathi, was sent out to investigate the matter.
Nyathi met with the owner of Paardeplaats, Mr Brian Whitehorn and Mr Themba Msimba of the Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Board (MTPA).
Nyathi accompanied Whitehorn and Msimba to the place where the contractors were installing lightning conductors.
Whitehorn pointed out where the buck was shot some 300 metres away from the Eskom power lines and showed where one of his workers had to slaughter the severely injured rhebok.
The buck was shot through the head, paralysing it on the left side. The only persons that were on the farm when the incident happened were the contractors and one other guest.
The guest, Mr André Bestbier was the one who came across the buck where it was still alive and trying to get up. He told the newspaper that he had went for a walk with the dogs when he made this horrid discovery.
The newspaper sent queries to Eskom regarding the incident. The power giant confirmed that they were aware of the situation. “Eskom is aware of the incident that took place on March 7 at Paardeplaats Nature Reserve (Lydenburg area). Eskom has launched an investigation. We will unfortunately not be able to comment further until the investigation is concluded.”
In the meantime, the copper cables in the open ditch that were laid for lightning conduction, have not been buried. It is not certain whether Eskom will send out other contractors to complete the project.
