adminFairness Moyana Hwange Correspondent
A FISHING expedition turned tragic when a Binga fisherman was attacked and killed by a hippopotamus while trawling in the Zambezi River with a friend. Francis Muleya, 35, of Zongozo village, Binga was knocked off his boat last week while fishing with nets before the animal charged at him again and he drowned.
Acting Matabeleland North provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Mandla Ndlovu said on July 16, Muleya teamed up with his friend, Chisa Muleya and proceeded to Tobwe fishing camp along the Zambezi River.
“When they arrived they used different canoes to cast their nets and at around 5:30PM Francis Muleya was attacked by a hippopotamus which capsized his canoe,” said Asst Insp Ndlovu.
His friend failed to save him as the hippopotamus attacked again.
Chisa rushed to Simatelele base camp and reported the incident and his friend’s body was recovered later that evening on the river bank.
Asst Insp Ndlovu warned fishermen against encroaching in the mammals’ habitat as they considered that a threat.
“Fishermen and members of the public are warned against fishing in places that hippos live in as they can easily be mistaken for invaders resulting in surprise attacks that are usually fatal,” he said.
A number of fishing expeditions in the country have ended in tragedy as people have been attacked either by crocodiles or hippopotamus.
In March this year, a boy drowned in Gwanda after he was attacked by a crocodile while fishing with three friends.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter