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The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has written to Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) MEC, Rev. Musa Zondi, seeking urgent clarity on the killing of a lion in Gluckstadt, Vryheid, by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The lion was reportedly one of three on the loose in the area and attacking livestock.
While the DA acknowledges the concerns of local farmers and communities regarding the safety of their livestock, the killing of a lion should always be a measure of absolute last resort. We have therefore also submitted written parliamentary questions to the MEC and his department to determine:
• The origin of the lions and how they came to be in the area;
• The full details of how and why the decision was taken to kill the lion instead of relocating it and;
• What measures were taken to explore alternative resolutions before resorting to lethal action.
The DA has also called on EDTEA to investigate examples of successful lion relocations and other effective strategies used to resolve human-wildlife conflict. There are well-documented cases globally where communities and conservationists have implemented proactive measures to protect both livestock and predators.
One such example comes from the Predator Compensation Fund (PCF) in Kenya’s Amboseli region which has successfully reduced lion killings by compensating farmers for livestock losses, on the condition that no retaliatory action is taken. This initiative has helped increase the local lion population while maintaining peaceful coexistence with communities.
Similarly, the Lion Guardians program in Kenya and Tanzania has trained Maasai warriors to monitor lion movements and prevent livestock attacks, reducing the need for lethal control measures. The use of Predator-Proof Bomas in Tanzania has also been successful where the construction of fortified livestock enclosures, known as bomas, has effectively reduced nighttime attacks by predators.
A sustainable and humane approach is critical in managing human-wildlife conflict, ensuring that conservation efforts are not undermined by reactive and irreversible actions.
The DA remains committed to holding KZN’s EDTEA department accountable for its handling of this matter and will continue to advocate for responsible wildlife management in our province.