Tourist stoned in KZN park
2003-10-22 21:35
Craig Bishop
Pietermaritzburg - A French tourist was attacked by a mob who set their dogs on him while he was hiking near the Amphitheatre in the Royal Natal National Park.
Nicholas Pietrenko had travelled from Cape Town to Bloemfontein before his trip too him to the Amphitheatre in the Royal natal National Park in the Drakensberg adjacent to Lesotho.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson, Maureen Mndaweni, said Pietrenko was accosted by a group of men who stoned him and set their dogs on him. He was forced to hand over all his possessions, including his passport, air ticket and R700 cash.
His right leg and left hand were injured in the attack. He managed to walk from Kepising to Giant's Castle Camp via Giant's Pass where the hospitality manager, Nayne Benade, administered first aid. He was then taken to Estcourt hospital.
Mndaweni said Pietrenko couldn?t exactly identify the place where he was attacked.
"He exposed himself to danger by hiking alone," said Mndaweni.
"The route he took from the Lesotho side was risky without the park officialís knowledge. He also failed to fill in the mountain rescue register before setting off on a hike. "
She said the attack took place outside the Giant's Castle Game Reserve.
Ezemvelo warned hikers not to hike on their own. They should also notify the nearest camp and check with the nearest tourist information office if the hike is safe before starting out.
- The Witness