Big cat handler's family still haunted by his death

Dalu Mncube died in May last year after being mauled at Zion Wildlife Gardens. Photo / Supplied

Family members will re-open painful memories of big cat handler Dalu Mncube's death when Zion Wildlife Gardens faces charges in the Whangarei District Court today.

Born in Zimbabwe, the 26-year-old died in May last year after Abu, a 260kg Bengal white tiger, mauled him.

The Department of Labour laid two charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 against Zion Wildlife Services for "failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees while at work".

Two charges were also laid against Zion Wildlife Gardens.

Fortune Shumba, Mr Mncube's brother, said that nearly a year, on the family still felt raw about the way his brother had died.

"It's going to be something really terrible talking about it, having all those memories come back.

"We don't want anyone to go through this again."

Mr Shumba said he had an open mind about the park's culpability, and hoped the court case would show whether the park had done all it could to mitigate risks and protect his brother.

But he was scathing about the level of financial assistance the park offered in returning Mr Mncube's body to Zimbabwe. Last year a public appeal raised money, and a Whangarei businessman paid the bulk of the bill.

"We really appreciate what people did. What pisses me off is that there wasn't some fund, insurance, anything so the company was in a position to help if tigers or lions attacked.

"We were literally relying on donations from the Kiwis who took this into their hearts."

Mr Shumba's African-based family were hoping to organise a trip to the park so they could see where their relation, who had previously worked at South Africa's Kruger National Park, had lived and died.

Mr Mncube left behind a partner, Sharon Arnott, Starskea, a daughter, and a son from a previous relationship.

The Herald was unable to contact Ms Arnott yesterday.