'I don't blame Zim'
2008-10-03 14:17
Johannesburg - The father of a girl mauled by lions guarding her family's property in Zimbabwe has come under fire from the government for allegedly blaming Zanu-PF for the attack.
Government officials read reports in the South African media and phoned Ron Sparrow, whose daughter Courtney underwent extensive surgery in Johannesburg after the attack.
But Sparrow, who breeds lions and game on his farm in Masvingo, said his views had been misrepresented.
"I don't hold Zanu-PF or the land reform programme responsible for the current situation that my daughter is in," he told News24. "in fact it's quite the reverse."
The misunderstanding has since been cleared.
Sparrow said he has a good relationship with the government. He decided to co-operate when the land reform programme began and has earned the local community's trust by creating jobs and helping those affected by HIV/Aids.
One man one policy
When his land was taken away, he was allocated another one in accordance with the "one man one farm" policy.
"It would appear that it's only certain individuals who already have land who are trying to claim my land because I have developed the property allocated to me that now has a good infrastructure and game on it and I have homes on it," he said.
He was reluctant to name or identify the group involved in trying to take his land, though they are thought to be war veterans.
Court battles and physical intimidation by these individuals lead Sparrow to keep two lions in the enclosure of a second house on his property, which was being targeted.
On September 16, his daughter Courtney, 8, followed workers into the house. A lioness then broke through a closed window and dragged her outside.
The gardener, Benji Tewe, saved her life by first scaring off the lioness and then a second lion that had gripped her by the head, tearing through her skull.
"If it hadn't been for him, she might not be alive today," said Sparrow.
Courtney was airlifted to Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, and underwent a marathon operation. She came out of ICU on Sunday.
Bone ripped out
She was back in theatre on Friday for an operation to replace a bone that was ripped out of her forehead. It was found after the attack and preserved.
Another bone from around her eye is missing and will have to be reconstructed. She is scheduled for more operations later this year.
Meanwhile, her medical expenses have been mounting.
"The medical air rescue flights were US$26 000," said Ron of the air ambulance from Zimbabwe. He said the hospital costs would be in the region of about R1m.
To help cover the costs the Netcare Milpark hospital is co-ordinating a fund. Anyone who would like to contribute can contact Amelda Swartz on 011 480 5686 or on 082 7838492.