A 3-year-old boy has died, after being mauled by a cheetah on a farm near Philippolis in the Free State.
Police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele said the boy was attacked by the animal on Saturday, and airlifted to a hospital in Bloemfontein.
However, on the way there he succumbed to his injuries.
Well-known filmmaker and owner of the farm, John Varty, confirmed the incident and said earlier reports, that the child was attacked by a tiger, were untrue and that it was in fact a cheetah.
Varty said it was not clear yet what happened, but the son of one of his workers on the farm, Jacob Pieterse, was attacked and died.
Police have confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened and that no one had been arrested in connection with the boy's death.
