Zim GBC News | Mat North Correspondent
BINGA, Matabeleland North – A weekend leisure outing ended in tragedy when a 34-year-old woman was attacked and killed by a crocodile on the Zambezi River, with her remains later recovered from the reptile’s stomach.
Matabeleland North Police Spokesperson, Inspector Glory Banda, confirmed the incident which occurred on Saturday afternoon on a river island in Binga.
The victim has been identified as Brenda Nyoni. She was in the company of her husband, Taylor Bruce, and two friends at the time of the attack.
“Nyoni, who was in the company of her husband, Taylor Bruce, and two other companions, was on a leisure outing on a river island. The group had arrived at the island on Saturday around 3 pm using a speed boat, intending to enjoy the river and take photographs,” said Inspector Banda.
He detailed that after arriving, Sithembokuhle Baloyi and Brenda Nyoni entered the water to take pictures while Bruce and Sinodia Kambambula stayed on the shore.
“Nyoni and Baloyi allegedly went on to lie in the water and continued taking pictures. Suddenly, a crocodile emerged from the water and grabbed Nyoni, threw her three times into the air, and pulled her deep into the water,” Inspector Banda recounted.
The police spokesperson said Bruce saw his wife surface moments later and attempted a rescue.
“He tried to pull her out of the water but failed because the crocodile came back with full force, grabbed, and disappeared with her deep into the water.”
The attack was reported to Binga Police, who responded with officials from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Sub Aqua units. A search operation began but was called off and resumed the following day.
“Upon searching the area, the team saw the crocodile and ZimParks shot it, but it disappeared into the water. On 23 December, the team searched the waters and recovered the dead crocodile, which was taken to a farm and dissected,” Inspector Banda stated.
The dissection confirmed the victim’s fate.
“Upon dissecting, the team found a head, bra, and left arm.”
Following the horrific incident, Inspector Banda issued a strong warning to the public.
“We warn members of the public to be wary of such dangerous leisure spots, especially parents and guardians, regarding their children.”
The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by wildlife in riverine areas, particularly along the Zambezi.
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