DSV driver killed in elephant encounter in Hoedspruit (Limpopo) Anwen Mojela, Herald October 21, 2024 See link <https://www.citizen.co.za/letaba-herald/news-headlines/local-news/2024/10/21/dsv-driver-killed-in-elephant-encounter-in-hoedspruit/> for photos. More than 60 Naauwhoek Wildlife Africa (NWA) officials outside Hoedspruit face fines and warnings after failing to detect a DSV courier driver entering its protected conservation area. The DSV driver was killed after an elephant is thought to have stormed the vehicle after he blocked the driver’s path on the road. It is believed that the driver may have pressed the car’s hooter to pass and that it angered the elephant. On their Facebook page, NWA confirmed that on Saturday, October 12 around 11:00, the DSV bakkie was detected 13 minutes after it entered Naauwhoek Wildlife Afrika’s emergency gate. They said that notifications were distributed to more than 106 officials who were in a radius of 28km south and 35km north, but due to “absence of pilots, sharpshooters, hitmen and field rangers within 10km range, their response was too slow”. “Any average response should be within seven minutes as helicopters cover the location, hence we will give some officials fines and warnings,” they stated. Herald contacted Naauwhoek Wildlife Africa for information on the deceased. They stated that they have contacted the family who have asked for privacy. “We are investigating, and more than 60 officers must write statements because the car entered Naauwhoek undetected,” they added. On the initial Facebook post they stated that the driver may have angered the elephant by hooting but could have made a U-turn or escaped by reversing. They said that according to their investigation, the driver was supposed to deliver items to the Klaserie Private Game Reserve then he took a wrong route into Naauwhoek. “We declare that Naauwhoek Wildlife Africa is a rehabilitation facility and nature conservation area where staff are trained to deal with traumatised species. Visitors are not allowed at Naauwhoek. On Saturday we scrambled (dispatched) three helicopters to search (for) the monster elephant that killed the trespasser,” it reads. https://www.citizen.co.za/letaba-herald/news-headlines/local-news/2024/10/21/dsv-driver-killed-in-elephant-encounter-in-hoedspruit/