'Crocodile Dundee' a poacher?
2006-10-30 13:30
Nelspruit - Police and wildlife authorities are investigating if a man who survived a crocodile attack was, in fact, a poacher.
Police confirmed on Monday that they are investigating a case of poaching against Alex Masinga, 58, of KaMhlushwa in Nkomazi who claims he acted in self-defence when he killed a 2,7m crocodile on October 22.
"We've already interrogated the man and suspect that the crocodile was an innocent victim in all of this," said Tonga police spokesperson Constable Mzwandile Nyambi.
He said police were waiting for a report from Nkomazi wildlife protection services manager Sam Malindisa who is also investigating the matter.
Masinga claims he was went to drink water from a tributary of the Umlati River when the crocodile attacked him from behind, grabbing his calf.
He said the predator tried to drag him into deeper water but that he shoved a panga down its throat, killing it.
However, a preliminary report by Malindisa found pieces of a fishing net and barbed wire inside the crocodile's mouth. The panga wasn't found.
"Without pre-emting the final report we can safely say we do not believe the crocodile attacked Masinga," he said.
Masinga has denied any knowledge of the net or wire and stands by his story.
- African Eye