RUNDU – A pregnant woman bravely saved her 4-year-old son from the jaws of a crocodile in the Kavango River at the Divava Village in the Mukwe constituency on Wednesday.

Kavango East region’s acting police commander Eino Nambahu confirmed the incident to New Era, saying 28-year-old Pauline Ruhepo Kawina and her son Thighayo Muyevu went to fetch water from the banks of the river when the crocodile snatched her son.

“The mother didn’t think twice but dived into the water and fought the deadly reptile,” he said. 

The two sustained serious injuries during the struggle with the crocodile and are currently being nursed at Andara Hospital, which has since reported that they are in a stable condition.

“With the high number of crocodile attacks recorded in the region, especially in the areas of Shikoro, Ndiyona, Rundjarara and Divundu, as well as other areas, I am warning the community members living alongside the river to be vigilant when approaching the river. These reptiles are deadly, and they are hard to spot while underwater,” Nambahu cautioned.

Just recently, a 12-year-old girl died after she was also attacked by a crocodile while fetching water from the Kavango river at the Shikoro village in the Kavango East region.

It was reported that a passer-by tried to save the minor from the crocodile by distracting it with a canoe. 

The crocodile let go of the body, but it was too late, as the victim had already died.

- jmuyamba@nepc.com.na