Animal Mutilations

Quick question Mauro, in the Zulu case, are there any mutilated cattle found after the light or do they simply disappear?

The cattle always disappear without a trace. As I said before pradators and/or cattle lifters may be responsible but when cattle is corralled in a kraal or guarded by many armed men nearby it becomes intriguing at the very least.
Yes, leopards are stealthy predators which can pick a goat and disappear in the dead of the night but they can be tracked by experienced bushmen.
Yes, some thieves are incredibly crafty but why bother with a single sheep when you can make off with much more?
Yes, animals go astray but they are kept under watch for the purpose and Zulus have always been splendid herdsmen and can tell when a beast goes astray, no need for fanciful interpretations.
But this brings back the original question: while modern day mutilations can be blamed on secret organizations bent on sinister genetic experiments what about XIX century Africa?