BIG BEND – Fishing illegally in private property ended tragically for 62 years old Zungululuzi Mkhabela.
When police officers were called after a man fell into a dam, they responded promptly in hopes of assisting him or at least retrieving his body if he had already drowned.
Instead, when the officers arrived, they found residents by the river banks gathered, and when they came closer all they could do was watch helplessly from a distance as a float of crocodiles ripped the man’s flesh. By this time, the man had already died, as he made no sound.
Death
Normally, crocodiles perform what is known as ‘the death row’, whereby they seem to row in the water. This is normally done when they are eating. According to a close acquaintance, who asked not to be named, the fisherman, Zungululuzi Mkhabela had gone fishing on Thursday. He is said to have been fishing at the Mntindzekwa River, which is said to have dried up in some sections and formed deep dams due to the extremely hot weather. It was gathered that Mkhabela had intended to put a net into the water but slipped and fell in. Upon noticing that he had fallen into the water and was not resurfacing, some residents then quickly rushed to call the police to assist, hoping that he could still be alive or if he had drowned, at least to retrieve his body.
Shockingly
Police officers from Big Bend are said to have arrived, hoping that his body could be retrieved after it was realised that he was submerged into the water. Shockingly, as the police and the residents watched the water, Mkhabela’s body emerged, almost as if he was swimming but this was not the case. He was being tossed by the crocodiles as they began to devour him.
“It was horrific. He was eaten and nothing remained,” said a resident. Noteworthy, it was gathered that a similar incident happened to a fisherman, who used to be a fishing colleague of the late Mkhabela. “His colleague was also eaten by crocodiles in a similar manner,” alleged the resident. The Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the incident and said it was reported under the Pigg’s Peak Police Station.
Dangerous
Phiwayinkhosi Ngcamphalala, the Indvuna Yenkhundla of Siphofaneni Constituency also confirmed the tragic incident. Ngcamphalala then further urged residents not to enter the river for fishing, as this is dangerous, especially since it is crocodile infested. Further, Ngcamphala stated that the area was private property and it was guarded by rangers. Big Game Parks Game Ranger Ted Reilly was also reached for comment on the matter. He said at the moment, he is not aware of the incident, but also stated that the area mentioned is known for crocodiles.
Warned
He said according to his knowledge, the river mentioned is all under private property and known for crocodiles. Reilly also warned against fishing in rivers using nets, as this is illegal.
He warned that in the Lubombo Region, all rivers have crocodiles. He said it is not only unsafe for fishermen, but also for those fetching water.
