Mass Cattle Grave
The forced removals of black indigenous communities from the Park took place in the 1950s and eviction notices (Kennisgewing in Afrikaans) were issued with a letter with wording similar to the following: “The bearer, resident of Pretoriuskop area of Kruger National Park, is hereby given 90 (ninety days) notice to remove himself, his family and his possessions from the confines of the Kruger National Park and to seek residence elsewhere.”
On top of the eviction notices, veterinary health authorities demanded disease control in 1958 with the elimination of all cloven-hoofed animals when foot and mouth disease became epidemic in the park. This was followed by an animal holocaust when culling of cattle was the order of the day and animal carcasses were dumped into mass graves.
The mass cattle grave in the Pretoriuskop area is where forty of Chief Nyongane’s cattle were shot by Park officials together with more livestock of his relatives. The Chief passed away in 1960 due to heartbreak about the forfeited wealth and the emotional loss of his beloved cattle.
GPS Waypoints: 25°07'17.9"S 31°12'35.1"E
