A 43-year-old fisherman from Zambezi on Saturday became the latest human-wildlife conflict victim after he was attacked by a hippopotamus while fishing at the Mutundwalo River channel at Kongola.

Many Namibians have fallen victim to drowning and wildlife attacks there.

According to the police, the incident happened on Saturday at 14h00. 

It is alleged the victim, Suboni Mushabati Twasenga, died after he was attacked by a hippo while fishing. 

His next of kin were informed, and police investigations continue.

On Friday, 8 April at about 12h30 at the Chobe River in the Mutikitila area, 66-year-old Namibian Sibeso Progress Lubinda drowned and died after he was attacked by a hippo while fishing in the river.

On 4 February, a 59-year-old man identified as Musialela Moses Luyanga also became a human-wildlife conflict victim when he was attacked by a hippopotamus while paddling a canoe along the Kasaya River channel in the Kabbe South constituency of the Zambezi region.

“He was rescued and rushed to the Itomba clinic, where he died while waiting for an ambulance. The deceased’s lifeless body was transported to the Luhonono Health Centre, and later to the Katima Mulilo mortuary,” read a police report at that time. 

The horrifying incident was reported to have happened around 17h58.

Research shows that these semi-aquatic giants kill an estimated 500 people per year in Africa, and they are also known to be highly aggressive. They are well-equipped to inflict considerable damage on anything that wanders into their territory, as they are largely territorial.

Meanwhile, the police in Zambezi on Saturday arrested a 22-year-old man at Katima Mulilo for possessing and dealing in controlled wildlife products at the Liselo roadblock. 

It is alleged that the 22-year-old suspect was found in possession of one elephant tusk during a search. 

The value has not been determined yet.

Still in Katima Mulilo, the police were called to a scene on Friday, where a 35-year-old allegedly committed suicide at around 07h00 at Bebi Extension 3. 

It is alleged that the victim, Santambwa Rodney Simasiku, hanged himself with a wire on a mango tree.  His next of kin were informed, and police investigations continue.