VILLAGERS are still struggling to come to terms with the horrific death of Edmond Ngomane.
The 42-year-old, who was a builder, was mauled to death by a hippo on the street on Sunday, 8 May.
His sister, Sylvia (46), said Edmond left home in Sgagule Village, outside Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, to go to his construction job when she heard him scream for help.
Her son, Pleasure (21), and neighbours rushed out to find his body lying in a pool of blood while the hippo walked away to a nearby dam.
“My brother died a painful death. When it realised people were coming, the aggressive hippo quickly trotted away and submerged itself in the nearby dam,” she said.
Sylvia said the loss was made worse by the fact that the family couldn’t afford to bury him.
“He was the only breadwinner. He took care of his two children, five siblings and our mother,” she said.
Edmond’s mum, Florah Ndhlovu (64), said: “The hippos are aggressive. They have terrorised the streets for almost a month. They charge at us and graze on our lawns.”
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency spokeswoman Kholofelo Nkambule said the manager of Andover Nature Reserve was investigating and would be in contact with the family.
Police spokesman Colonel Donald Mdhluli said an inquest docket was opened.
