Victim of lioness attack identified

The victim of the Lioness attack on a farm in the Glen district of the Free State has been identified.

Following claims by the Bloemfontein SPCA of incorrect statements regarding the euthanasia of the lioness, police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle clarified that preliminary information indicated that the SPCA euthanized the lioness. However, the SPCA did not euthanize the lioness, contrary to the previous police report.

“Through some developments in the investigation, it has emerged that the lioness was injured while trying to save the victim and had to be put down. She was given a sedative before one of the farm workers had to put her down,” Earle said.

She said police were called to the scene and found the body of Mr Mataka Jere seriously injured and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Police continue to investigate Mr Jere’s death.”

Compiled by Justine Fortuin