'I'm going far away ...'

2008-01-06 21:01

Willem Pelser

Nelspruit - "I'm going far away to a place where no one will ever find me," said a game lodge caretaker to his girlfriend before committing suicide by going into a lion camp with 10 of the big cats.

Seven of the lions immediately attacked 29-year-old Samuel Booysen at Aloe Ridge Farm near Swartruggens in North West and killed him.

All that remained of him was a piece of skull and his spinal cord.

Game farm owner Nazeer Kaje said on Friday afternoon that Booysen's friend's pregnancy and a bitter family feud apparently had driven him to the drastic deed.

Told brother of plans

After telling his girlfriend that he was "going away", Booysen told his brother he was going to commit suicide.

Witnesses, the police and Kaje said Booysen's dramatic action had been well planned.

He bought liquor at Swartruggens last Tuesday, presumably to steel himself for what was to come.

Then in the presence of two other men - a colleague and a visitor - he opened a lion camp, walked in and locked the gate.

The two men had tried in vain to stop him when he announced "I'm going in (to the lion camp)!"

Once Booysen was inside, he threw the keys into the long grass and crouched down.

Kaje said Booysen must have chosen the specific lion camp because there were seven new lions in it that would not recognise him and would instantly tear him to pieces.

The lions in the other camps were too tame and had known Booysen for years.

A witness told the police that Booysen had stroked one of the lions in his last moments - as if he wanted to take leave of the beasts that were his great passion.

Couldn't scare off the lions

Moments later, one of the big cats grabbed Booysen by his left arm, and another bit into his right thigh.

Other lions then joined in.

Booysen called "Waahh!" once, when the lions grabbed him and then almost immediately went quiet, according to the witness.

The witness and a man with him were hysterical and banged empty cans together in an effort to drive off the lions.

The lions took no notice and, by the time Kaje and the police arrived, eveything was over.

- Rapport