RESIDENTS of Migdol informal settlement near Schweizer-Reneke in North West claim they are living in fear of vicious ostriches after an outbreak of attacks in the area.
They want the department of agriculture to come up with a permanent solution to the problem.
The situation has become so bad that some people are scared to even fetch their cattle from the fields.
The latest victim, 52-year-old Johannes Pitso, said he was lucky to be alive after he was attacked by an ostrich.
The father of two said he was on his way to get his cattle from the field last Sunday when he was suddenly kicked and pushed hard against his chest so that he fell to the ground.
"There was a sudden bang and then I fell on my back. When I looked up I saw an ostrich and it was furious, swinging its wings," he said.
He said the ostrich used its beak and hard feathers to attack him.
"I felt weak and screamed for help but there was no one near," he said.
Pitso could not believe his luck when he saw an iron rod lying next to him.
"I quickly grabbed it and hit the ostrich over the neck before it ran away."
He was admitted to the Mafikeng Provincial Hospital with serious injuries to his chest, left elbow, ear, eye and back after the brutal attack.
He said though he was injured he managed to pull himself to his feet and run away, with blood dripping from his body, until he arrived home where his daughter Mmanana, 23, summoned help from neighbours.
Pitso is the fourth person to be attacked by the ostriches.
The other three victims, two men and a woman, were also attacked in the same manner.
Owner of the ostriches, Antonio Jardim, said he was also scared of the ostriches.
He said four of his eight ostriches laid their eggs on a nearby farm after heavy rains last month. He said he would have to wait for 40 days for the eggs to hatch before he could move the ostriches.
"These ostriches are dangerous, I don't know how they escaped. The community will have to bear with me," Jardim said.
He said it would take another 14 days for their eggs to hatch.
Department of agriculture spokesperson Bonolo Mohlakoana said they had sent a team of veterinary officials to the area to help resolve the matter.
"We have engaged with the owner of the ostriches and will see what we can do to help the community," Mohlakoana said.
Ostrich terror grips residents
RESIDENTS of Migdol informal settlement near Schweizer-Reneke in North West claim they are living in fear of vicious ostriches after an outbreak of attacks in the area.
They want the department of agriculture to come up with a permanent solution to the problem.
The situation has become so bad that some people are scared to even fetch their cattle from the fields.
The latest victim, 52-year-old Johannes Pitso, said he was lucky to be alive after he was attacked by an ostrich.
The father of two said he was on his way to get his cattle from the field last Sunday when he was suddenly kicked and pushed hard against his chest so that he fell to the ground.
"There was a sudden bang and then I fell on my back. When I looked up I saw an ostrich and it was furious, swinging its wings," he said.
He said the ostrich used its beak and hard feathers to attack him.
"I felt weak and screamed for help but there was no one near," he said.
Pitso could not believe his luck when he saw an iron rod lying next to him.
"I quickly grabbed it and hit the ostrich over the neck before it ran away."
He was admitted to the Mafikeng Provincial Hospital with serious injuries to his chest, left elbow, ear, eye and back after the brutal attack.
He said though he was injured he managed to pull himself to his feet and run away, with blood dripping from his body, until he arrived home where his daughter Mmanana, 23, summoned help from neighbours.
Pitso is the fourth person to be attacked by the ostriches.
The other three victims, two men and a woman, were also attacked in the same manner.
Owner of the ostriches, Antonio Jardim, said he was also scared of the ostriches.
He said four of his eight ostriches laid their eggs on a nearby farm after heavy rains last month. He said he would have to wait for 40 days for the eggs to hatch before he could move the ostriches.
"These ostriches are dangerous, I don't know how they escaped. The community will have to bear with me," Jardim said.
He said it would take another 14 days for their eggs to hatch.
Department of agriculture spokesperson Bonolo Mohlakoana said they had sent a team of veterinary officials to the area to help resolve the matter.
"We have engaged with the owner of the ostriches and will see what we can do to help the community," Mohlakoana said.
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