Man dies after lion attack
Man dies from lion attack but health department says Justice Xolani Cebekhulu died from other causes, and not his injuries.
MBOMBELA – Justice Xolani Cebekhulu (49) passed away in Rob Ferreira Hospital on Monday after he was attacked by a white lion last week.
Spokesman for the Mpumalanga Department of Health, Mr Dumisane Mulamele, said he did not die directly as a result of his injures, but of his diabetes.
“He had moderate injuries and died of other causes,” Malamule told Lowvelder.
The attack took place in Hoedspruit, when two white lions from Lion Treetop Lodge crossed to the neighbouring property of Ngama Lodge by climbing a maroela tree, where they encountered Cebekhulu and a friend collecting firewood.
Brig Motlapela Mojapelo, spokesman for Hoedspruit SAPS, confirmed that the friend was also attacked, and treated at a local hospital. Cebekhulu was airlifted to Rob Ferreira Hospital.
Lion Treetop Lodge owner, Mr West Mathweson, told Lowvelder they were truly shocked when they heard that Justice has passed away, as his friends recounted to them how he was sitting up and laughing in the hospital two days before his death.
“We saw his injuries. There was a gash on his upper thigh. We did not think his injuries were life-threatening and to hear that he passed away was the worst thing,” he said.
Read a full interview with Mathweson in Friday’s print edition of Lowvelder.
