"You're fired"..the South African way

[BADMIHAI]

South African farm worker in dispute with employer believed thrown to lions
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) - Four men were charged with murder and the Labour Ministry began an investigation Wednesday 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 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 Feb. 19.

Zikalala said investigators believe Shisane was fired last year.

Shisane's family reported him missing Sunday.



© The Canadian Press, 2003