Croc-killer gets job as reward
19/05/2009 14:18 - (SA)


Elmon Tshikhudo

Thohoyandou - An unemployed man has been given a job as thanks for leading a 6km hunt for a crocodile that killed a school pupil.

Sifelani Chauke now has a job as a general worker at a driving school.

"Had it not been for the bravery of the young man, so many people would have been killed or many would have fled their homes as this would have resulted in witch hunts," said his new boss and local headman, Nelson Mmbi.

In addition to giving Chauke a job, Mmbi, who is is also a school principal, will help Chauke get an ID book, his driver's licence and will build a house for him.

Chauke hunted down a crocodile that killed Thivhalitshi Mutheiwana, a Grade 10 learner at Madadzhe High School in Tshikonelo village near Thohoyandou, Limpopo, recently.

"He told everyone that they must not be spectators because tomorrow it would be their relatives killed by a crocodile. With stick in hand, he then dived into the river to look for my brother's body," said Mutheiwana's brother, Mbulaheni.


'Did more than anyone'

It was Chauke who found the crocodile and Mutheiwana's remains, ensuring the family had something to bury.

"I do not know how we can thank him. This man did more than anyone, including the divers, policemen and nature conservation officers," said Mbulaheni.

He said Chauke found the crocodile and police were called.

The crocodile went under water when shots were fired at it, but Chauke poked its head with a stick, forcing it out.

"It came out of the water fighting and this time, the shot didn't miss," said Mbulaheni.

Mutheiwana's partially-eaten body was recovered.

Chauke said he had only wanted to help the family.

"When I joined the search, I felt for the family," he said.

He said his brother, who works in Johannesburg taught, him to swim in the rivers of Zimbabwe where they grew up before coming to South Africa in 2004.

Chauke remained unemployed, however, catching and selling fish to eke out a living.

"I survived by selling fish, but have not gone to the river since the crocodile killed the young man because it's too dangerous," he said.

A day before he joined the crocodile hunt, his brother had kicked him out the house and he had to move in with his in-laws.

Chauke is married to a South African woman and has a child.

- African Eye