KNP leopard victim laid to rest
'It was unexpected and we are heartbroken,' a family member said at the funeral.
MKHUHLU – Courtney Vonani Ntimane loved his father a lot. Isaiah Ntimane was too distraught at his two-year-old son’s funeral on Sunday to convey much more than that the two of them loved travelling together before tearing up again.
The youngest of three, Courtney was killed by a leopard in the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Wednesday night.
He and his mother, Cebile Nuku Thobela, were visiting Ntimane in the staff village at the Malelane Technical Services living quarters.
UPDATE: Cub of leopard that killed toddler, also shot
They were sitting outside at around 20:00 when he went inside and Courtney followed him. The leopard simply grabbed him. One of the women saw it and screamed, which alerted everyone else.
It is understood that the leopard tried to take Courtney over the fence with her, but got shocked and dropped the boy. He was rushed to hospital but certified dead by doctors at Shongwe Hospital.
The funeral was attended by people from far and wide, as well as a number of KNP colleagues, “who came in their numbers,” the family noted.
It was a bleak day and it began to rain as Past Petros Makukule started the sermon at the family home. Next to him a picture of Courtney stood on his small child’s coffin.
Makukule cited the incident in the Bible when King David’s child died. “This does not mean that God has forsaken the family.”
He called on all to remember that a person is from God and belongs to God. “Everyone has their last day written in the Book of God. Only He knows when we are going to go.”
At the cemetery, people sang as little Courtney’s grave was filled up.
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