Family to pursue damages claim after toddler killed by leopard

SOUTH African National Parks (SAN-Parks) says it is studying the Mpumalanga High Court’ ruling related to an incident in 2019 when a 30-month-old toddler died following an attack by a leopard at Malelane quarters, in the Kruger National Park.

- ZELDA VENTER

"We are studying the judgment for a more in-depth understanding of the findings as set out by Acting Judge Zodwa Gumede,’ the park said in a statement.

The court recently gave the parents of the child the green light to continue with their damages claim against SANParks. This is after the lawyer for SANParks raised a special plea in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).

According to SANParks, the leopard attack constituted an occupational injury, as the father was obliged to live in the park and he knew about the risk of dangerous animals around. The court, however, dismissed this plea, leaving the way open for the family to continue with their claim against SANParks.

Shortly after the incident, the father explained that the leopard climbed over a tree next to the fence and jumped into the quarters’ yard around 8pm that night.