Brave rescue proves futile

in the Runde River.
However, Peter Mutekwatekwa (29) of Hehlani Village in Sengwe communal lands’ efforts were in vain as Vongai Mandungu (24) – of the same area – died soon after he managed to pull her out of the water.
Masvingo provincial acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Prosper Mugauri on Thursday said Mutekwatekwa bravely tried to rescue Mandungu.
“The man armed himself with a machete and fought the crocodile that had attacked a fellow villager until the crocodile released the woman.
“However, when the woman was finally pulled out of the water she unfortunately passed away from excessive bleeding,” said Asst Insp Mugauri.
It is understood that on the fateful day, Mandungu and another villager, Sara Chiragu, left home to fish using nets in the crocodile-infested Runde River.
As the two women were going about their business, Mandungu was attacked by a crocodile that clamped her waist and tried to pull her away into deeper waters.
Mutekwatekwa, who was reportedly passing by, saw what was happening and ran with a machete to help.
He jumped into the water and attacked the crocodile.The reptile gave up and released Mandungu from its jaws before escaping.
Mutekwatekwa pulled Mandungu to the river bank but she died soon afterwards from the bodily wounds. Asst Insp Mugauri urged people to avoid fishing in crocodile-infested waters.
In recent months, at least seven school children have been attacked by crocodiles in the Mbire District of Mashonaland Central.
One has had a leg amputated while another is now paralysed in one arm after the attacks.
Several children have reportedly dropped out of school in the area because their parents and guardians will not risk them crossing crocodile-infested rivers on their way to the school.
Meanwhile, a Chinhoyi man died after an elephant trampled him as he tried to scare another one out of his field.
Nyika Mapfumo (age not given) of Village 8, Kanyaga in the Makonde District of Mashonaland West left his home sometime last week at around midnight to guard the field from wild animals.
When he arrived he saw two elephants destroying his crop.
As he tried to chase one of them, the other charged and trampled him.
Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Insp Clemence Mabgweazara said: “He sustained serious injuries on his back and ribs.
“His wife found him early in the morning with his intestines protruding but still alive.
“He managed to narrate to her what had happened and she made arrangements to have him taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital where he died on admission.”
Chinhoyi magistrate Mr Farai Gwitima waived a postmortem saying the cause of death was not in dispute.