Rundu
A 12-year-old boy from Kashira village died tragically after he was attacked by a crocodile along the Kavango River.
The horrendous attack happened on Sunday at about 13h00 at Makena village near Ndiyona in Kavango East Region, where the majority of people still rely on the river as their main source of water for all domestic needs.
According to reports the boy went with other relatives to the river and after getting thirsty he went into a stream to drink water, without noticing the reptile that caught him.
Attempts by some villagers to rescue the victim proved futile as by the time they wrestled his body from the crocodile he was already dead.
Despite appearing docile, crocodiles are highly intelligent and they usually monitor certain spots along the river for weeks, if not months, before they cunningly lay in ambush for their next victim.
“The body was grabbed from the crocodile’s mouth by some brave community members who witnessed the shocking attack,” said the Kavango East acting crime coordinator, Detective Chief Inspector Chrispin Mubebo, who confirmed the latest crocodile attack.
Mubebo urged parents to look after their children – especially now that it’s hot and the kids will want to be at the river to cool off from the searing heat. He said parents should not allow kids to play in the river where danger is always lurking.
The deceased was identified as Thimende Kudumo.
His body was transported to Nyangana hospital mortuary by the police mortuary services.
In April this year an 11-year-old boy was also caught and killed by a crocodile at Kashira village located 90 kilometres east of Rundu.
On March 8, a 32-year-old woman was killed by a crocodile while bathing in the river at Kake village in Mukwe. On March 16, an Angolan boy was killed by a crocodile in the same river at Mateke village, 180 km east of Rundu in Mukwe.