Mthethomusha Game Reserve

[Richprins]

Bongani Lodge Burned Down by Community Members

09 February 2021 - 06:42
Shonisani Tshikalange
REPORTER

Three suspects aged between 28 and 37 are due to appear in court tomorrow regarding arson, possession of stolen goods and other crimes.

Mpumalanga police have confirmed that three suspects are expected to appear before the Kanyamazane magistrate’s court on Tuesday for arson, possession of stolen goods and other crimes.

The men, aged between 28 and 37, will face charges linked to an incident on January 31, where Bongani Mountain Game Lodge, at Mthethomusha Game Reserve, which borders on the Kruger National Park and shares a fence line with the park came under attack.

Mpumalanga lodge was torched, seemingly in retaliation for the shooting of a poacher.

“On that day, a group of people driving in a white SUV alighted at the entrance of the lodge. It is said that they then used rubble including stones and branches of trees to barricade the road which leads to the lodge. Police were called to diffuse the situation, however, while they were still clearing the road, other people among the group, proceeded to the lodge where they are reported to have broken several doors and helped themselves to liquor as well as other items belonging to the lodge,” said police spokesperson Leonard Hlathi.

He said they also damaged some property, torching some of the rooms and other infrastructure before fleeing the scene with the stolen items, leaving behind a trail of damage costing about R9m.

“Employees at the lodge reportedly had to run for their safety as they witnessed the horrific event unfolding in front of their eyes. Police, as well as other emergency personnel including the fire brigade, responded to the scene and the blazing fire was extinguished,” he said.

Hlathi said after the event, a case of arson was registered with additional charges including theft, malicious damage to property, as well as public violence. A manhunt was launched.


“Police then received information pertaining to the case hence they traced and apprehended the trio. During their apprehension, one of the suspects was reportedly found in possession of certain items believed to have been stolen from the lodge,” he said.

Hlathi said on Sunday police received information of illegal poaching that took place in the game reserve where the lodge is situated.

He said when they responded they discovered nine carcasses of four different animal species including three impala, four inyala, one rock jumper and one spotted genet.

“A preliminary probe suggests that the carcasses were abandoned by a group of unscrupulous individuals who were involved in an illegal poaching activity earlier at the game reserve but were somehow given no chance through the visibility of the rangers which undoubtedly forced them to flee the scene, leaving behind their loot,” Hlathi said.

He said police confiscated other items such as knives, pots and torches at the scene.

Hlathi said a case of illegal hunting was registered with the mentioned items seized and a manhunt has been motioned for the suspects.

He said the police are following some positive leads in their investigation and are optimistic that arrests are imminent.

However, they also request the community to participate in the investigation.

He said police are also investigating a murder case involving a man who was found dead in his house at Matsulu near Nelspruit.

TimesLIVE

[Lisbeth]

I wonder what brings people to do things like that

[Richprins]

Mpumalanga lodge was torched, seemingly in retaliation for the shooting of a poacher.

[Richprins]

Plush Mpumalanga lodge torched as community seeks retaliation for death of alleged poacher
Shonisani Tshikalange Reporter
07 February 2021 - 11:02
The Bongani Mountain Lodge was torched in an apparent act of arson last week.


Image: Via Twitter

A plush lodge in Mpumalanga's Mthethomusha Game Reserve in Mpumalanga was torched last week, seemingly in retaliation for the shooting of a poacher.

Steffen Schneier, director of the aha Bongani Mountain Lodge, said the apparent arson attack was under investigation by authorities.

Schneier said the incident happened after a poacher was shot by the anti-poaching unit, which resulted in a gang of armed men retaliating.

“A poacher was shot by the Mpumalanga parks anti-poaching unit and, on Friday night, the compound where the anti-poaching rangers stay was attacked by a gang of armed men. There was a firefight that lasted from early evening through to about 4am in the morning, when the anti-poaching unit ran out of ammunition.

“During that period there were frequent attempts to get the police to come to their assistance, but [it was] not successful,” he said.

Schneier said the lodge manager evacuated the lodge at midday on Sunday after getting a tip-off from the community that they would be targeted next.

“The rest of Saturday was very quiet and on Sunday morning, we received calls from friends in the community, saying that they heard that a group was going to be attacking the lodge. So the lodge manager evacuated the lodge at about midday on Sunday, and by 2pm the whole lodge was on fire,” he told TimesLIVE.

Schneier said the lodge was completely destroyed, and people had been helping themselves to whatever was left.

“Whatever survived, basically, there have been people coming up with vans and just loading up whatever they can from what was burnt. We are out of business. Whether we can ever recover, I would doubt it. So the 80 people that worked for us this time last week no longer have work.

“There is also a huge impact on all our suppliers, laundry services, security services ... It has very real consequences for ourselves and our employees, and people who were in business with us,” he said.

The lodge said that due to the damage to the property, no further reservations would be taken until further notice.

“For those with existing bookings in place, a member of the aha team will be in touch to make alternative arrangements,” said the lodge.

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south- ... d-poacher/








https://lowvelder.co.za/718350/in-photo ... n-damages/

[Lisbeth]

Mpumalanga lodge was torched, seemingly in retaliation for the shooting of a poacher.

I have read that, but it is not a good enough reason, especially a poacher being a criminal

[Alf]

It’s the mind set of most of the people in SA. If we are unhappy then we burn stuff down, throw cars with stones etc

[Lisbeth]

Unfortunately not only in SA, only more often

How I hate vandalism

[Alf]

Unfortunately our government is too busy stealing money and don’t listen to the poor communities and if they are unhappy they turn to vandalism and violence to get the attention of government

That’s what worked in the past and obviously will also be into the future

[Lisbeth]

With the economical situation getting worse by the day, it will happen even more often

[Richprins]

This seems to be about poachers, though...