Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
A three-year-old girl was attacked and dragged into the Matetsi River on the outskirts of Victoria Falls by a crocodile on Tuesday afternoon while in the company of her mother and brother.
Grace Chafudzika (3), of Masikili village under Chief Shana in Jambezi, was fishing with her mother, Tariro Tsonzowori, 33, and 12-year-old brother Gerald Mpala when the incident occurred around 3pm on Tuesday.
Authorities have launched search operations for the body of the girl.
Police National Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
“We can confirm that a minor was attacked and killed by a crocodile along the Matetsi River. We will be revealing more details in due course,” said Comm Nyathi.
According to witnesses, the now deceased was in the company of her mother and brother when they left home to the Matetsi river for fishing.
Whilst fishing along the river next to Matetsi Bridge, a crocodile suddenly emerged from the river intending to attack Gerald Mpala, who was reluctantly doing fishing, but he screamed and ran away.
The crocodile reportedly then advanced to the now deceased, who was standing about three metres away from the water, caught her by the leg and dragged her into the water.
The crocodile resurfaced approximately five minutes later and was seen biting the child on the stomach before vanishing into deeper waters.
The mother desperately threw stones at the predator but was unable to save her daughter.
Police from ZRP Jambezi attended the scene alongside the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority, but darkness and the absence of lighting systems hampered initial search efforts.
Meanwhile, four crocodiles were taken down on Wednesday as authorities intensified the search, though only the child’s intestines and a waist rope have been recovered so far.
More to follow…..
