By: Annakleta Haikera

Last week, a crocodile killed a 25-year-old man at Mupini, Kavango West. 

Ndumba Ben, the deceased, was taking a bath in the Kavango River at Mupini with others when the crocodile pounced upon him.

On Saturday, the police retrieved Ndumba’s mutilated body, and the crocodile suspected of having killed the deceased was put down. 

The body was taken to the Rundu State Hospital mortuary.

Simon Antoni, now 60, said: “My son’s death was shocking. It’s an absolute tragedy what has happened to my son. It’s horrific,” he told The Villager. 

“I am pleading with the Councils to bring development to every villager where people don’t need to go to the river for water but have running water at their homes.” 

He sadly said: “I lost my boy at such a young age. I was expecting that he would grow old and take care of me, but death is very unpredictable, and these crocodiles are just robbing us of our loved ones. 

“Being that the Ministries all come and tell us not to worry, nothing is being done to solve the problems of human and wildlife conflict problems. We saw the crocodile was killed, but I won’t get my son back. The Ministry must do their best and help us live near the river because we depend on the river.”

Police in the Kavango West have warned people to stay away from the river, especially during this flooding.

Detective Inspector “This is when these predators and dangerous reptiles such as crocodiles follow the water.” 

Detective Inspector Rambert Muronga said: “We recognised the need for human life. However, we request the communities to utilise rivers with caution due to circumstances beyond human control. People should visit the river when the sun is visible while in large groups and watch out for one another. Swimming must be done under the watchful eyes of others. We regret the incident. The Namibian Police hereby tender our condolences to the bereaved family.”

In the past three months, at least five people were killed and several others maimed in attacks by the water predators in the Kavango Region. 

A 15-year-old girl from Mukwe was also killed by a crocodile that was later put down.

The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, on 17 February responded to the calls concerning many livelihoods that this wildlife had lost by providing portable water and launching a water treatment plant project that will provide water in the entire Kavango Region.