Boy (7) disappears after crocodile attack

Masvingo Reporter

A SEVEN-year-old Chivi boy is feared dead after disappearing following an attack by a crocodile in the Tugwi River while his 8-year-old brother is recovering at Chishave Clinic after he was also mauled by the reptile.


The missing boy, Benson Chinama and his brother Ashton of Chinidyanhamo, Chief Masunda area in Chivi, were herding cattle along Tugwi River when they decided to swim in the crocodile-infested river.
While swimming a crocodile appeared and attacked Ashton who had moved into the deeper parts of the river. On realising that his brother was been attacked Benson started screaming to try and scare away the reptile.
However the crocodile left Ashton and went for Benson who was still in the water leaving him with multiple injuries all over the body.
It then dragged Benson under the water and disappeared with him. Ashton ran home and alerted their father, Tawanda Chinama, who also summoned other villagers who went for a search in the water but to no avail.
Police in Chivi were also alerted and they joined the search but could neither locate him nor his remains.
Ashton, who had sustained multiple injuries during the attack, was taken to Chishavi Clinic where his condition is reported to be stable.
Police spokesperson for Masvingo Province, Inspector Phibion Nyambo confirmed the disappearance of Benson and the attack on Ashton. He said police had asked the National Parks and Wildlife Authority to track the crocodile. He warned the community against playing close to the river since it was crocodile infested.
“It is true that two boys were herding cattle and decided to swim in the river and were attacked by a crocodile. The boy who was attacked first sustained multiple injuries while the other one has not been located since then. We strongly advise parents to discourage children from playing close to the river since it is quite known that it is crocodile infested.
“The belief is that once it has tasted human blood it will continue attacking even to the extent of getting into the village and it is against this background that we encourage parents to warn children against swimming as they risk losing lives to aggressive aquatic creatures and drowning,” he said.

you would think that bush Africans, of all people, would know better than to do this. even kids usually know better. sadly, another example of evolution in action-sounds awful,but ultimately true.