Four buffalo that ended up in Dididi village over the past weekend had to be put down and were distributed as meat for the villagers.
It is unclear how the buffalo ended up in Dididi, which is close to Thohoyandou, but they were quickly spotted on Sunday by local residents. Community leader Mr Phanuel Mathebula said they had immediately alerted the senior traditional leader, Thovhele Nkhaneni Ramovha, who, in turn, alerted rangers from the Kruger National Park. The rangers had to act in the best interests of the residents and put down the dangerous animals.
This, of course, also meant a meaty feast for the local residents. "We were all enjoying the meat, and it is some of the best meat one could find. As we're talking now, we are cooking a full pot. We thank the rangers for not taking the meat away," he said.
The local Thulamela councillor, Phillip Munyai, warned residents to be vigilant after the unwelcome visit. "Rangers have told us that as many as 27 buffaloes have bolted from the Kruger National Park. This means around 23 buffaloes are still at large and pose a danger to the community. We urge residents to report any sightings of the animals as they are regarded as very hostile to people," he said.
Attempts to get comment from the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism went unanswered as queries sent to them remained unanswered for days.