Teen taken by croc
This is the first known attack in many years at the Goedertrouw Dam
A GAME played by a group of friends in the Goedertrouw Dam outside eShowe on Friday ended in sorrow when one of the boys was taken by a crocodile.
At around 8am, Nkosinamondla (Nkosi) Ndumiso Matengu (15) and his friends were swimming in the dam and decided to play a game called ‘Izingwenya’, diving under the water and holding one’s breath for as long as possible before surfacing.
A friend of Nkosi, Sandile Bathwane, went under the water and saw something swimming underneath them.
He surfaced and shouted to the others to get out of the water.
Bathwane says that when they reached the bank, they realised that Nkosi had not come out of the water and thought that he may have drowned, when they could not find him.
He said they decided to tell their parents what had happened.
‘Whilst walking along the bank they saw a crocodile with Nkosi in its mouth swimming towards the opposite bank’, he said.
They reported the matter to the local leadership, who arranged a search party.
Nkosi’s body was later found on the edge of the dam.
As the area was inaccessible to vehicles, Department of Water Affairs’ Water Controller Officer Vincent Makhaye arranged for a private boat owner, fishing on the dam, to transport the body to a slipway near the dam wall, where it was handed over to the SAPS.
Even though crocodiles have often been seen, this is the first known attack in many years at the dam, which is a popular bass fishing destination.
The dam is used daily by the local community for collection of drinking water, washing and bathing.
An inquest docket has been registered at the eShowe SAPS.
Public warned
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesman, Musa Mntambo says that it will be difficult for Ezemvelo to identify which crocodile was responsible for the attack and are monitoring the situation.
He has warned all persons using open water that, with the high rainfall experienced this summer, there is an increased possibility of crocodiles moving into ‘new’ areas.
Persons washing clothes, bathing and especially children playing in or near water need to be vigilant at all times.
The last reported crocodile attack in the area was in January 2009 had a happier ending.
A 12-year-old boy, Sakhile Xulu, of Basamlilo outside eShowe, survived the attack after putting up a brave fight, while swimming in the uMhlatuze River.
Ezemvelo warns of dangers, other than crocodiles occurring in the veld at this time of the year, such as snakes.
Anyone who is aware of dangerous animals threatening humans in the eShowe area are welcome to contact the Ezemvelo District Conservation Officer (DCO), Edward Khanyile on 082 4154686, or their local DCO for assistance.
It’s really heart breaking that just a simple way of having fun can turn into such a tragedy.
“The dam is used daily by the local community for collection of drinking water, washing and bathing.” – The Government should provide normal living conditions – running water out of taps! They bath in the water and later drink from the same water… These people should start asking questions and demand what was promised.