Online Reporter
Faith Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
A 13-year-old boy from Sibangilizwe Village in Nkayi District, Matabeleland North Province died after he was attacked by a crocodile, when he and his friends decided to swim while on a fishing expedition.
The tragic attack occurred in Gweru River that cuts across the village when Louise Mpofu, a Grade Five learner went on a fishing expedition with two of his friends from the same community.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Glory Banda confirmed the incident.
He said they received a report that showed that the boy, while on a fishing expedition with his friends decided to swim in the Gweru River.
Witnesses reported that he cried for help before disappearing under the water.
“His two friends ran back home to get help and found the deceased’s father, who immediately went to the river with other villagers to search for his son,” Insp Banda said.
When the team arrived at around 3pm, they discovered the boy’s clothes on the riverbank but could not locate his body despite an extensive search.
The following day, Insp Banda said, the villagers continued with the search and around 2pm they found Louise’s body a distance of about three kilometres from where the attack had occurred.
“The body had a missing left leg and several crocodile bites on the right leg and waist,” Insp Banda added.
Nkayi District Development Co-ordinator Ms Matilda Mlotshwa said she was aware of the tragic incident.
“Initially, it was unclear whether Louis had drowned or had been attacked by a crocodile but witnesses reported seeing a crocodile dragging him away,” Ms Mlotshwa told Sunday News.
She said high water levels in the river on that day created ideal conditions for crocodiles, which are common in the area during such times.
“This marks the second attack on the same river in two years after another child was attacked last year while attempting to cross and only parts of the child’s remains were recovered,” she said.
Ms Mlotshwa reiterated the need for communities to be conscientised about the dangers of letting children play or attempting to cross crocodile-infested rivers alone.
“We are currently training the community on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Civil Protection Committee (CPC) protocols to protect villagers and ensure that children in school understand the dangers posed by water bodies in seasons where there is too much rain. However, we recognise that children will be children but that should not stop us from making efforts to dissuade them from going near water bodies,” she said.
She added that the school community was deeply saddened by the tragic incident and was offering support to the family.
