Under the Ubuntu Tree 2011 -2014

[RosemaryH]

Thank you arks, I will pass your compliment on

Well Done Ntsakisi Keep up the great customer service

[Lesego]

SANParks can confirm that a man was killed by a crocodile yesterday in the Kruger National Park. An investigation is underway and a media release will be sent out during the course of the day.

[DinkyBird]

Such a tragedy. Condolences to the family, friends and collreagues.

[angiek]

Condolences to his family and friends.

It is so sad to see the some people's reaction on FB. Some straight away assumed the worst (he was out of his vehicle where he should not have been, why was he close to the water, poacher, etc, etc), instead of waiting to read the facts.

This was a young man working in the place all of us love and wish we could be in all the time, think of his family and friends before writing the stupidest things.

[RemiE]

Angiek, it is disgusting how people became ruthlessly mean especially when tragedy hits.

This remain a tragedy and should be respected as such

Herewith an article by lowvelder. Best is to wait for the official press release from SANParks

http://lowvelder.co.za/239787/breaking- ... onal-park/

SKUKUZA – A golfer was killed by a 3.9m long crocodile on the Skukuza Golf Course Wednesday 23:00.

The 29-year-old Jacques van der Sandt had apparently been visiting his parents who reside in Skukuza on holiday and played a competition earlier the day.

SKUKUZA – According to WO Oubaas Coetzer, spokesperson for the Skukuza SAPS, it is reported that Van der Sandt and a friend jumped into Lake Panic, which apparently runs through the nine-hole golf course, a few times. After about the fourth time, the crocodile, which was allegedly visible earlier the day, put its jaws around Van der Sandt’s chest and dragged him under water.

A search for Van der Sandt was launched during the night. A field ranger eventually spotted the 3.9m crocodile and its victim upstream and shot it. Van der Sandt had bite marks on his chest and was dead on the ranger’s arrival.

According to Coetzer, Van der Sandt and fellow golfers were at the Skukuza Golf Club’s club house when the incident occurred at about 23:00 on Wednesday December 3.

The club house is situated at the 10th hole, while the bridge from which Van der Sandt is said to have entered the water is at the club’s signature hole, number 9 (a par 3 of about 150m), which is played across Lake Panic.

The 29-year-old had apparently been visiting his parents who reside in Skukuza and had played a club challenge there earlier the day.

[duncang]

Mnnnnnnm.......

[Yoda]

Sad the incident occurred and someone lost their life
And also sad that the crocodile had to pay the ultimate price too

[Grantmissy]

My condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

[Carol g]

So sad that an error in judgement caused the death of a young man

Condolences to his family and friends

[DinkyBird]

Dear all

A young man lost his life in a tragic event. Two parents are suffering horrific heartache. Never mind the shock to family, friends and colleagues. Please be sensitive to this.

Insensitive posts will be removed. SANParks has yet to release the facts and a statement.

[JeanniR]

This is so tragic My condolences to his family and friends.

[Elsa]

Very tragic indeed, my heartfelt condolences go out to his parents, family and friends.

[Lesego]

Staff member's son killed by a crocodile

Kruger National Park (KNP) can confirm that a crocodile killed a staff member’s son, Jacques van der Sandt aged 29, last night (3 December 2014) at the Skukuza Golf Course, situated adjacent to the Staff Village. Jacques is son to Schalk (retired) and staff member Lorretha van der Sandt; the couple has been working in the Park since 1992.

According to the Regional Ranger, Don English, he got a call at around 22:00 that an individual had been grabbed by a crocodile at the Lake Panic Dam in the Golf Course area. It is understood that a group of youngsters were hanging around after a game of golf when the incident happened. Apparently the crocodile surprised the group and snatched the victim then disappeared under water. Rangers were alerted and after searching the dam for over two hours, spotted and put down the animal. Fortunately the victim’s body was retrieved without any mutilation except the animal’s teeth marks at the back and the front.

“It is an unfortunate incident where a promising life was cut short; our condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim. Investigations are on-going to establish the exact circumstances as it was an unnatural death. It is now an SAPS matter and SANParks will conclude its own internal investigation”, said Dr Freek Venter, KNP’s General Manager: Conservation Management.

According to Dr Danny Govender, SANParks’ Disease Ecologist, “these animals are not in good condition as they have just come out of hibernation. The animal was doing what naturally comes to them; hunting for food and unfortunately a life was lost in the process”.

Issued by:
South African National Parks (SANParks) Kruger National Park Communications

Enquiries:
Freek Venter
GM: Conservation Management, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4320; Cell: 082 908 2687
Email: [email protected]

Ike Phaahla
Media Specialist, SANParks
Tel: 012 426 5315; Cell: 083 673 6974;
Email: [email protected]

[Friedrich von Hörsten]

So sad....

Right now I am working on a short message for a funeral of a friend tomorrow. Her favourite verse was John 14:1-3: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
I often wonder how many tears are shed in heaven while God and the angels agonize over the tragedies here on earth... that verse gives me hope that all is not lost, God will come and restore this earth to its original state, where... God will wipe away all tears from our eyes, and pain and sorrow will no longer exist.

Praying for you, parents!

Friedrich von Hörsten

[NetEk]

So sad.

My heart goes out to the loved ones.