Crocodile snatches tourist

Baboki Kayawe | Sunday October 6, 2013 22:41

The team is scouring the crocodile infested river in search of Viljoen. Shakawe Police Station commander, Ndiko Malibala said yesterday that the Delta Medical Clinic paramedic was visiting friends at a private property in Samuchima Village when she met her fate. On the fateful day, Viljoen, her 12-year old daughter and another child crossed by boat from their host's property to a neighbouring lodge. Afterwards, the trio decided to walk back along the riverbank instead of using the boat.  

'Around 12 noon when they were walking back to Lloyds' (the owner of the property they visited), when passing through shallow water Danielle decided to swim because it was very hot. While cooling off, the two children spotted a giant crocodile which caught her,' Malibala said.

He said the crocodile was more than five metres long. He cautioned tourists and villagers to desist from swimming and engaging in other dangerous activities in the Okavango River because of the crocodiles. 'This river is extremely dangerous and people should be very careful when fishing, harvesting reeds and swimming should not be done at all because the river is infested with crocodiles, hippopotamus and other dangerous creatures,' Malibala said.  

He explained that it is challenging to educate people about the dangers of the river, as it is an ancient source of their livelihood. This is the first incident of its kind to be recorded in a period of about five years, the police say.