Further op for lion attack girl
2009-10-02 09:55
Johannesburg - The nine-year-old girl from Zimbabwe who miraculously survived an attack by two lions a year ago, was discharged from hospital on Thursday after having another operation on Monday.
However, Courtney Sparrow has no home to return to in Zimbabwe.
Members of Zanu-PF have allegedly illegally invaded the Sparrows' farm in Masvingo province, killed nine of their buffalo and other animals including cattle, and stolen many of their valuable belongings.
"Our lives and the lives of our farm labourers have been taken away from us," said Courtney's mother, Margaret, on Wednesday at Netcare-Milpark hospital where Courtney had surgery.
Her husband Ron's wildlife and tourism project worth about R10m has been destroyed.
Farm invaded
Ron Sparrow breeds lions, among other animals. Two of these lions grabbed Courtney in September last year, and scratched and gashed her head.
During Monday's operation, the gaps in her skull, where pieces were ripped out, were restored and closed.
Ron showed Beeld the documentation which proves that the Masvingo provincial government, upon recommendation from tribal chiefs in that area, approved his purchase of Swartfontein farm.
However, Zanu-PF members allegedly threw a spanner in the works, presumably because one of them had previously asked Ron to buy a car for him, which Ron refused.
He says two war veterans and their accomplices have terrorised them ever since, despite repeated orders from deputy president Joseph Msika, who has since died, that the Sparrows must be left alone.
'Abandoned farm'
Furthermore, Francis Nhema, minister of environmental affairs and tourism, has alleged in newspaper reports that Sparrow simply abandoned his farm.
"That's a blatant lie. I've been in his office countless times to get the residential permit which the deputy president ordered him to issue to me. He just doesn't do it."
The Sparrows fled to South Africa with two suitcases in February, after they heard they would be arrested. Muzenda and Mudavanhu moved into the Sparrows' home in July. The Sparrows are staying with friends in South Africa temporarily.
