Bushbuckridge residents in Limpopo were living in fear after a pride of lions escaped, South African Broadcasting Corporation radio news reported on Friday.
The report said the lions allegedly escaped from a private game reserve last week.
The provincial department of environmental affairs has so far shot and killed five of the lions.
It was believed nine lions were running loose in the area.
Calson Magopane, a spokesperson for the Dumphries community, told the SABC that the lions had already devoured cattle belonging to residents.
”The situation is very terrible. The community members are living with fear as these lions are still around.”
Officials from the nearby Sabie Sands Game Reserve denied allegations that the lions escaped from their reserve.
They say the animals could have escaped from the Kruger National Park. – Sapa