By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, April 9, Mana. A 60-year-old man died after an elephant at Namizimu Forest Reserve attacked him near Kwilasya Village, Traditional Authority Namabvi in Mangochi District.

Mangochi Police Station, Public Relations Officer, Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Meleke Jeke.

Tepani said the incident occurred on the morning of April 7 when Jeke had gone to his maize garden near the forest, to check on his crops and protect them from baboons.

While in the field, the elephant suddenly emerged and attacked him, resulting in an instant death, according to Inspector Daudi.

“The incident was witnessed by neighboring farmers that share boundary with the deceased’s garden who reported the incident to Lungwena Police Unit” she said.

Inspector Daudi said police officers visited the scene accompanied by a medical practitioner who carried out postmortem whose results confirmed that Jeke’s death was due to multiple fractures and internal bleeding sustained during the elephant attack.

Meanwhile, police have notified the Department of National Parks and Wildlife for appropriate action.

Jeke came from Kwilasya Village, Traditional Authority Namabvi.