Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment
MEDIA STATEMENT
Serfontein saddened by latest lion incident in the North West
Mafikeng: Agriculture, Conservation and Environment MEC in the North WestProvince, Jan Serfontein expressed deep regret for the death of yet another worker on a predator breeding farm in the province. The MEC committed that he will urgently meet with industry representatives, the Department of Labour and other stakeholders to see if the training programmes followed by farmers to prepare workers to work with predators on breeding and keeping farms can be standardised; with an emphasis on safety.
"The province does not have a formal programme to train farm workers to work with predators in captive breeding programmes. I therefore intend to work with Department of Labour, the Breeders association and other interested parties to see if a standardised training programme can be put in place as soon as possible. Simply shutting down the industry is not practical nor possible so the solution lies in empowering workers and owners to work safely with the animals", said Serfontein.
Mr. David Moloana (50) of Mareetsane village, was attacked and killed while in the process of cleaning the drinking pen situated in a smaller inner enclosure inside a larger lion cage on the farm Uitspan near Mafikeng, mid day on Tuesday May 27. The drinking pen he was cleaning and filling with water is designed to be accessible from outside the lion cage. The worker, it appeared, entered the main cage where lions were for reasons that are yet unclear. The lions did not compromise the outer perimeter. An attempt to rescue Mr. Moloana was made by the farm manager and fellow workers, but he was fatally mauled before he could be reached.
Departmental records confirm that the farm owner, Mr. Ben Joubert, has the necessary authorisation to breed and keep the lions. His permit, issued on 22 September 2006, is valid until 22 September 2009. His facilities are also compliant in terms of the law and were approved based on the specifications of the applicable legislation.
The province is in the process of introducing a new biodiversity management and enforcement law which will strengthen the implementation of the Threatened and Protected Species regulations promulgated by DEAT last year.
The majority of captive lion breeding and hunting in the country occurs in the North West province. There are 56 registered predator breeding farms containing an estimated 1800 lions.
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Issued by Corporate Communication
Departmental Spokesperson
Ms Lesego Mncwango
Contact: 078 459 5981 / 018 389 5768