Zimbabwe: Seven Survive Croc Attacks, One Amputation


Mbire District — SEVEN schoolchildren have over the past five months been attacked separately by crocodiles along Angwa and Musengezi rivers here.

Hardlife Kawara (12) of Komba Village has had a leg amputated, while Francis Taveshure (10) of Mashiri Village's right arm is now paralysed.

After surviving the attacks, the victims - aged between eight and 12 years - had to travel about 30km to Mushumbi Pools for treatment.

Save the Children, a non governmental organisation, has been assisting some of the victims with transport to hospital and money for medical bills.

Two boys who came off worse from the attacks live in the most remote villages in Mashonaland Central Province, just 4km from the Mozambique border.

They have dropped out of school.

Hardlife can no longer walk the 20km to school daily with his artificial leg, while Francis cannot write and is struggling to use his left hand.

Two victims of the latest attacks that occurred in February - Prosper Musiyakurimwa (8) and Augustine Mwanza (11) from Manheza and Charuma villages - were last week still at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare.

Chamu Mukangaza of Komba Village and Promise Magaso of Chikanyure Village and another boy from Chatima Village were treated at local clinics.

The Herald news team opted not to risk crossing the crocodile-infested Angwa River on foot to Chatima Village to get details on the seventh attack.

There are no bridges in the area.

Villagers have no option than to wade across the crocodile-infested river daily.

Save the Children programmes director Mr Sibangani Shumba last Friday said: "We are operating in the area through our partnership with the Ministry of Education Sport, Arts and Culture. We have money set aside to meet the children's special needs, especially those with disabilities.

"We just stumbled upon the crocodile attack victims and assisted them with the little money we had because they fell under the category of children we normally help."

Mbire legislator Cde Paul Mazikana (Zanu-PF) appealed for assistance to construct bridges across the rivers.

"The rate at which our schoolchildren are being attacked by crocodiles is scary and we urgently need footbridges on major rivers to minimise the attacks.

"Seven children have been attacked, some sustaining permanent injuries. People are now living in fear. Apart from bridges, there is need for awareness campaigns in villages so that people are taught life-saving tactics in the event of attacks."

Hardlife's father Mr Borders Kawara appealed for financial assistance to take his son to a boarding school so that he would not have to walk about much.

"My son's condition does not allow him to walk 20km to Mupedzapasi Primary School.

"Hardlife now has an artificial leg and the leg is not the correct size. He was only given what was available and he is uncomfortable and in pain," said Mr Kawara.

Mr Edward Taveshure - Francis' father - added: "It is not easy to look after someone who has a disability.

"Francis' hand was permanently injured and he cannot do anything with it.

"It was the right hand that broke in the attack and he cannot write. He cannot do any work and I am appealing for any form of assistance.

"We have not harvested this year because I spent most of my time at Harare Hospital with Francis.

"To make matters worse, our small maize field was affected by the dry spell and we harvested so little."

In addition, villagers have lost hundreds of cattle and goats to marauding lions, hyenas and leopards.

Elephants have also ravaged maize crops.