One of the witnesses to the elephant trampling of Shaik Adam Shabir Ammed (59) from eMkhondo (formerly Piet Retief) at the Malelane Gate yesterday afternoon, says the victim was trying to save his two grandchildren.

“The children were next to the bridge when Ammed saw the elephant close to them. He rushed over to save them, and it attacked him,” says the witness, who asked to remain anonymous. The witness adds that Ammed had been visiting his daughter, who lives in Malelane with her children.

Some of the witness’s account was confirmed by Mpumalanga  police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdlhuli. “Preliminary investigations suggest the children were taking pictures next to the bridge. The victim saw an elephant behind the trees and rushed over to save the two kids. That is when it attacked and killed him.”

Mdlhuli says police have opened an inquest case.

Lowvelder spoke to Ammed’s family. A close relative, Mohamed Shah, says the family is devastated by the incident.
“It is, however, not the right time to talk about this matter. We are still in shock,” Shah adds.

Kruger National Park spokesperson Isaac Phaahla confirmed that Ammed and his family had been day visitors to the park.

“We are waiting for the official results of the investigation and will not presume anything,” adds Phaahla.