RUNDU – The body of one of two Angolan men reported missing last week following a hippo attack was found floating in the Kavango river on Wednesday this week near Kashira village, Kavango East police deputy commissioner Bonifatius Kanyetu has shared.
The incident occurred last week Tuesday when two Angolan men were attacked by a hippo while crossing the Kavango river from the Angolan side with a canoe to the Namibian side at Kayova village in the Kavango East region.
“One body was recovered on Wednesday evening at about 20h00 at Kashira village, which is more than 10km from the initial scene. The body is of Lucas Incha Cambinda (41), who was also identified as a police officer in Angola. However, the other man known as Tomas Camati is still missing. The search is being hindered by heavy rains, but it’s ongoing,’’ said Kanyetu.
It was reported last week that the victims were crossing the river from Angola, intending to enter Namibia via Kashipe border post, when a hippo appeared from nowhere while they were in the middle of the river.
The aggressive hippo attacked their canoe by hitting it twice, and as it was about to capsize, the two victims fell into the river while others jumped into the river by themselves due to fear.
It was alleged that one occupant who was paddling the canoe was bitten on his left leg and left buttock, leaving him with big serious wounds. The others managed to separately swim to the Namibian and Angolan sides of the river where they got assistance,’’ he added.
The victims are all Angolan nationals, and have been identified as Pedru Ndjamba (28), who was injured on his left leg and left buttock, Ndjamba Augustinus Shirunda (71), who escaped with no injuries, Innocentia Karomo (22), and Matilde Valentinus (6), both females who also sustained no injuries.
Another victim was identified as Joao Mussole, a male whose age is unknown. He escaped with no injuries, along with Augusta Cambinda.
“The victims are all residents of Portu Dirico in Angola, just across Kayova village. The injured victims were transported to Nyangana hospital for medical attention, and the search for the missing person is being conducted with assistance of a boat of the Kayova River Lodge. But no success has been made yet, and the environment ministry was also notified. The Angolan Police are likewise on board for joint search operations,’’ Kanyetu stated.
Last month, 28-year-old Angolan national Jovo Mutero (28) from Katunda village in Angola was attacked by a hippo at Kapako village, situated near the Shadikongoro government irrigation project in the Kavango East region.
It was reported that he was crossing back to Angola from Namibia in a canoe and while he was paddling, a hippo hit the canoe, causing it to capsize before it attacked him.
jmuyamba@nepc.com.na