Crocodile attacks teen

2008-01-09 14:04

Durban - A crocodile - suspected to be about 3.6m long - attacked a 15-year-old teenager in KwaZulu-Natal, police said on Wednesday.

Captain Jabulani Mdletshe confirmed the incident but said few details were available.

"All we know is that a young boy was attacked by a crocodile at a river in northern KwaZulu-Natal in the Jozini area on Sunday," he said.

A communications officer at the Jozini police station, who refused to be named, said they were aware of the incident but that it had taken place in the Mduku area, and that a case was being investigated.

"Two boys - aged 11 and 15 - were busy fishing in the Sibhicayi River in the Mduku area on Sunday evening when they saw a crocodile swimming really fast towards them," said the spokesperson.

"The crocodile pulled the 15-year-old under the water...and that was it," she said.

Police said the second boy ran to alert residents and the matter was reported to police.

"We believe the crocodile is about 3.6m long because there have been other sightings in this area ... this attack was not the first in the area," she said.

The victim has been presumed dead and police have opened an inquest docket.

The family of the deceased was not immediately available for comment.

Community resident Bheki Gumede said he too was aware of the attack.

"We went to the river and searched for the boy but no remains were found ... the family is really going through a tough time and we are trying to help them as best we can," he said.

Gumede said the reptile was huge and for the past several weeks, there had been several crocodile reports in the area.

"We believe there was a second attack yesterday (on Tuesday) at the same river but we have not been able to confirm it, as the person who witnessed the attack has gone missing," he said.

Jozini police said the matter was reported to KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife.

Maureen Zimo, KZN Wildlife spokesperson said they had had unconfirmed reports about a crocodile sighting in the Sibhicayi area.

She said officials from the organisation were sent out to the Mduku area on Wednesday and that they were awaiting feedback.

"This is not our jurisdiction but even if it isn't, we will still go out and help ... if there is a crocodile in that area and if it is a danger to residents, we will set traps to capture it and put it in a safe place," she said.

- SAPA