Vusumuzi Dube
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
A leisurely riverside outing turned into a nightmare over the weekend when a woman was fatally attacked by a crocodile on the Zambezi River, with her remains later recovered from the reptile’s stomach yesterday.
Matabeleland North Police Spokesperson, Inspector Glory Banda, confirmed the tragic incident which occurred on Saturday at a river island in Binga, Matabeleland North Province.
The victim has been identified as Brenda Nyoni.
“Nyoni, who was in the company of her husband, Taylor Bruce, and two other companions, was on a leisure outing on a river island. The group had arrived at the island on Saturday around 3 pm using a speed boat, intending to enjoy the river and take photographs,” said Inspector Banda.
He explained that upon arrival, Sithembokuhle Baloyi and Brenda Nyoni entered the water to take pictures while Bruce and Sinodia Kambambula remained on the sands.
“Nyoni and Baloyi allegedly went on to lie in the water and continued taking pictures. Suddenly, a crocodile emerged from the water and grabbed Nyoni, threw her three times into the air, and pulled her deep into the water,” he said.
Inspector Banda said after a few minutes, Bruce saw Nyoni surface and attempted to rescue her.
“He tried to pull her out of the water but failed because the crocodile came back with full force, grabbed, and disappeared with her deep into the water.”
The matter was reported to Binga Police, who attended the scene with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) officials and Sub Aqua teams.
A search was initiated, aborted, and resumed the following day.
“Upon searching the area, the team saw the crocodile and ZimParks shot it, but it disappeared into the water. On 23 December, the team searched the waters and recovered the dead crocodile, which was taken to a farm and dissected,” Inspector Banda said.
The grisly discovery confirmed the victim’s fate.
“Upon dissecting, the team found a head, bra, and left arm.”
Inspector Banda issued a stern warning to the public following the tragedy.
“We warn members of the public to be wary of such dangerous leisure spots, especially parents and guardians, regarding their children,” he said.
Online Reporter