Farm worker thrown to lions
From correspondents in Cape Town, South Africa
12feb04

FOUR men were charged with murder and the Labour Ministry began an investigation today into allegations a farm worker was beaten and then killed by being thrown into a lion enclosure.

Nelson Shisane was allegedly assaulted and then tossed over a fence into a park where lions are bred after a labour dispute with his employer at a nearby farm, said ministry spokesman Snuki Zikalala.
Police found bones, torn clothes and a skull in the lion enclosure.

Shisane's employer, Mark Scott Crossley, and three co-workers, Simon Mathebula, Richard Mathebula and Robert Mnisi have been arrested and charged with murder.

They were denied bail and are scheduled to appear in court February 19.

Zikalala said investigators believe Shisane was fired last year.

Shisane's family reported him missing Sunday.