RESIDENTS of Thulamahashe kasi and Zola extension near Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, are living in fear of a stray hippo stalking the streets, especially at nightfall.
Frightened domestic worker Tintswalo Shivambu (45) told the SunTeam she was walking from work through the bushes near the river in Thulamahashe at about 5pm to her home in Zola extension on Friday, 6 May, when the aggressive hippo charged at her.
“It was dusky when I spotted the hippo running towards me. Luckily, I jumped down a dry pit and ran away. It would have killed me,” she said.
Another resident, Nsuku Sambo (30), said: “We were driving through a cemetery on Tuesday, 3 May, at about 5am when we saw the hippo trotting down the street and we reported it to the kasi leadership.”
Ward Councillor Shadow Hlatshwayo confirmed to the SunTeam that the hippo has been seen in the kasi for a couple weeks.
“The residents are warned to watch out for this dangerous creature. According to reports, it is seen grazing near the cemetery and near the river. So we have reported to the conservationists to come and remove it before it causes problems,” said Hlatshwayo.
Bushbuckridge Municipality spokesman Claiton Khosa said: “The municipality through our disaster, fire and rescue will engage relevant stakeholders, especially Kruger National Park to locate the hippo and take it back to safety.”
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency spokeswoman Kholofelo Nkambule said: “It’s important for the community to notify our staff of such information so that qualified officials can be alerted to attend to it urgently for the safety of the community members. We have officials who are qualified to handle this.”
