By 3 News online staff
A five-day inquest into the fatal mauling of Zion Wildlife Park worker Dalu Mncube will begin in Whangarei today.
Mr Mncube was mauled to death by a white Bengal tiger in May 2009 while he was cleaning the animal’s enclosure. Another keeper was also injured and the tiger was eventually shot.
Zion Wildlife Gardens was ordered to pay $60,000 reparation to Mr Mncube’s partner last year after the Department of Labour charged it with failing to take practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees and failing to control hazards that could cause harm.
Part of the inquest starting today will be to try to determine Mr Mncube’s background. He had at least three other names and it's believed he came to New Zealand on his brother's passport.
A pre-coronial inquest hearing into his death in June heard Mr Mncube was also known as Clifford Mncube, Dalubuhle Ncube and Darlington Tembo.
The Zion Wildlife Park was made famous by the Lion Man television series and was later caught up in an ownership dispute.
3 News