adminWhinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
A BINGA teenage boy was allegedly killed by a crocodile at Gwayi River Bridge.
A witness said the incident occurred around 5 PM on Monday when the victim was fishing with his step dad, Sifelane Mathe.
The reptile allegedly dragged Challenge Mleya, 17, into the water near the bridge at a point between Cross Dete and Kamativi, under Chief Nelukoba.
His body was pulled from the river on Wednesday, with one arm missing.
Former Hwange legislator, Jealous Sansole said Mleya, whose parents are divorced, had visited his mother in Chabasichana Village in Kamativi for the school holidays.
“On Tuesday morning the boy went fishing with Mathe.
“Mleya told Mathe that he was thirsty and he told him to drink from the river,” said Sansole.
He said as the boy squatted to drink, Mathe suddenly heard a splash as the boy vanished into the water.
“Mathe said he tried to locate the boy but failed. Villagers later joined the search but couldn’t find the boy as well,” said Sansole.
He said police finally retrieved the body on Wednesday.
Headman Dumisani Mpala said over the years, several people had been killed by crocodiles at the spot.
“For years, that part of the river has been known for crocodile attacks. Quite a number of people have died there. I would like to advise villagers to desist from fishing at that area as it is too risky,” said Mpala.
Meanwhile, police said a fourth person has been killed by a hippopotamus, trying to illegally cross into neighbouring South Africa via the Limpopo River.
National police spokesperson Charity Charamba said Ndabezinhle Nkomazana ,33, and Nigel Moyo were with a man only known as Nkosi who was assisting them to illegally cross into South Africa through Spillway crossing point along Limpopo River.
“Whilst in the middle of the river, the three were attacked by a hippopotamus which killed Nigel Moyo while Ndabezinhle and Nkosi escaped unhurt,” she said.
On December 3 at around 7AM, two men were assisting two juveniles, Shalom Zvotooma,12, and Obey Zvotooma, 9, to illegally cross into South Africa through an undesignated crossing point along Limpopo River in Beitbridge, when a hippopotamus attacked them.
Only Obey survived, with injuries.
Snr Asst Comm Charamba said soldiers retrieved the bodies from the river and took them to Musina Hospital mortuary for post mortem. Obey was also taken to Musina Hospital for treatment.
She said motorists and the public in general are being warned not to attempt to cross flooded rivers and bridges.
“We also advise children not to swim in water bodies as they risk drowning or being swept away by water currents.
“In areas where floods might occur we urge people to move to safe ground. Roads are currently very slippery due to oily surfaces which have been exacerbated by the current rains. This has resulted in a number of accidents being experienced countrywide,” Snr Ass Comm Charamba.
She added that police are appealing for people with missing relatives to proceed to ZRP Beitbridge and assist in identifying the bodies of two male adults.
Online Reporter