adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A suspected fish poacher from Mashava has been admitted at Masvingo General Hospital after being attacked by a hippopotamus while catching fish in a home-made canoe with a colleague at Muzhi Dam.Charles Garikai, 39, and Fanuel Magoga, 25, both of Spring Sprut Farm sustained injuries as a result of the attack that happened on Monday at about 3 AM.
Garikai sustained serious injuries on both legs and was rushed to hospital about an hour after the attack while his colleague escaped with minor injuries.
Garikai’s is said to be in a stable condition.
He declined to comment yesterday from his hospital bed about the incident that was reported at Mashava Police Station.
However, Wilbert Zvenyika, Garikai’s relative said the hippopotamus attacked the two men and kept pursuing them while they were still in the water.
“The animal followed its victims attacking them on the legs and body,” said from Mashava. “The two escaped but they had already sustained injuries. Magoga had minor injuries while Garikai had his both legs badly injured.”
Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna said he had not yet received the report.
However a source said: “On the day in question, the pair went to catch fish in a homemade canoe and were using nets at Muzhi Dam.
“The pair proceeded to the middle of the dam and while there a hippopotamus emerged from the water just under their canoe. The animal which could have felt provoked capsized the boat leaving the two to fall into the water.”
Online Reporter