Simphiwe Jennifer
Tweefontein– Residents of Zimkhulu village in Tweefontein, under the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, were stunned after a goat gave birth to a stillborn kid with human-like features on 15 September.
Goat owner Jabulani Mthimunye told Highveld Chronicle that he noticed his goat in distress at around 9 o’clock in the morning. “When I saw it was about to give birth, I was surprised because the feet that came out were too big for a baby goat. I immediately called two of my neighbours to help.”
The birthing process was complicated. “When a goat releases one foot first, it usually means the other is trapped inside. We tried to help it but when I put my hand inside to adjust the unborn goat, I realised its head was unusually large, almost impossible for the mother to deliver,” he recalled.
After a struggle to save the animal, the group decided to slaughter the goat to save it from further suffering. “When we opened it, we were shocked. The kid had a forehead, mouth, chin and shoulders that looked as though it resembled a human being,” Mthimunye said.
Worried about how the community would react, the villagers called the police, who then later involved local veterinarians. Experts confirmed that the incident was a rare case of deformity and emphasised that no human animal reproduction had occurred.
Despite the scientific explanation, community members speculated otherwise. Some suspected foul play, while others believed it was a sign. Mthimunye, who has been herding goats for years, dismissed these claims.“People had already tried to steal this goat a few days earlier. Maybe this is a sign for me to stop herding. It’s sad because this was my only goat.”
Mthimunye said this was the first time he had witnessed such a case. “I didn’t want to assume witchcraft or rape because I have no proof. The veterinarians assured us that such deformities do happen and that gave me peace of mind,” he said.
