Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo and Fairness Moyana
A tale of incredible heroism in Hwange has ended in profound sorrow. A woman, whose life was astonishingly saved from a brutal crocodile attack by her brave husband, has tragically died. Her valiant rescue could not prevent her from succumbing to the grievous injuries inflicted by the powerful predator.
Virginia Nyoni (45), from Msuna-Kanjeza village in Hwange District, passed away on Thursday at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, where she had been transferred for specialised treatment. Her death comes just two days after the harrowing incident on May 2, which occurred while she was fetching water from the crocodile-infested Zambezi River — the village’s only water source due to the absence of a borehole.
Nyoni’s husband, Oliver Nyoni, a local village head, risked his life by plunging into the river barehanded to wrestle the crocodile that had latched onto his wife and was dragging her into deeper waters.
His selfless and heroic intervention saved her life in that moment, but the brutal bite wounds proved fatal in the days that followed.
Area Councillor Lethukuthula Ngwenya confirmed the tragic news.
“We have lost her. She died during a surgical procedure at Mpilo Central Hospital yesterday (Thursday). It is so tragic, and the whole village is distraught. I last spoke to her on Wednesday and it all looked so promising,” said Ngwenya.
Nyoni leaves behind her grieving husband, Oliver, and six children.
Her husband, who is a respected village head in Msuna-Kanjeza, made national headlines for his extraordinary act of love and bravery when he jumped into the river to fight off the crocodile dragging his wife away.
Her death has plunged the local community into mourning. Nyoni had sustained horrific injuries — her thigh was mangled and her hand torn open. She was initially rushed to the nearest clinic by a local safari operator, then transferred to Hwange Colliery Hospital, and eventually moved to Mpilo Central Hospital for further treatment.
