Father fights off crocodile to save son

Herald Reporter
April 24, 2010

A Chivi man fought off a crocodile in Runde River to rescue his 14-year-old son who had been attacked while attempting to cross the river on Independence Day.

Nhamo Mabanga (41) managed to rescue his son Comment from the jaws of the reptile, but the boy later died of excessive blood loss.

The incident occurred at around 3pm while the two were herding cattle near the river.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri on Thursday said the cattle crossed the river and Comment followed them. As he crossed the river he was attacked by the crocodile and screamed.

Mabanga, who was watching, picked up a log and jumped into the river and began hitting the crocodile until it released Comment.

He took his son out of the river, but Comment later died as a result of excessive bleeding.

A report was made to the police.

Runde River is crocodile infested and several people and animals have been attacked and killed while others were seriously maimed over the past few years.