By John Muyamba
RUNDU – A 14-year-old girl was snatched by a crocodile on Saturday at Nakazaza village, west of Rundu, and her body was retrieved on Sunday.
It is alleged the minor had gone to catch fish in the flood plain with her elder sister when the crocodile caught her and disappeared in the flood plain.
“It didn’t happen at the river but in the flooded stream that leads to the tarred road. The croc must have been hiding in the flood water,” confirmed Detective Chief Inspector Ewald Kavara of the Namibian Police in Rundu.
Family members only recovered the body of the minor the following day, Sunday, with some body parts missing. Both arms and the entire right leg were also missing.
The body was collected by the police and stored in the Rundu hospital mortuary.
The deceased was identified as Kupembona Nehova Hellena (14), a resident of Nakazaza.
The police in Kavango East have again cautioned residents to refrain from allowing minors to catch fish in the river or on the flooded waters, especially the ones linked with the river, as the crocodiles can swim along them and attack people.
“People might be comfortable thinking since it’s not a river then they might feel safe not knowing there is a croc hiding in that water,” said Kavara.