Police and the SPCA have confirmed the sighting of a large cat in Hlalanikahle in eMalahleni today and warned people to steer clear of it.

A resident reported to the police this morning that he spotted something that might have been ‘a leopard or cheetah’.

The police set out to search for the animal and confirmed seeing the ‘cat’ at around 09:00, but they were unsure what exactly it was.

They called the SPCA for assistance and met them at the spot where the animal was last seen.

Members of the SPCA managed to spot the feline confirmed that it is a wild cat. They also saw two cubs with the cat.

Police advised  Hlalanikahle residents to avoid the area around Jeremiah Mdaka and the stream and warned that the animal will be more aggressive because she has cubs with her.

They warned that especially children should not approach or attack the animal when they see it.