By Thelma Wandayi
In a heart-wrenching tragedy that has left the village of Somerai under Chief Chingoma in Mberengwa reeling, 47-year-old Thokozile Gumbo was tragically killed by a crocodile on September 8, 2024.
The grim incident unfolded around 11 a.m. as Gumbo ventured to Mundi Dam to fetch water while her husband, Adrine Moyo, 50, was out collecting firewood.
Upon returning home at noon and finding his wife missing, Moyo’s instinctive worry drove him to the dam in search of her.
There, he was met with chilling news from grim-faced villagers who fearfully suggested that Gumbo may have fallen victim to a crocodile lurking in the waters.
Panic-stricken but determined, Moyo joined the desperate search effort that ensued.
Despite frantic searches, their worst fears were confirmed when Gumbo’s lifeless body was discovered with severe injuries.
She sustained a fractured right leg and multiple bite wounds on her thigh, bearing the marks of the deadly predator’s attack.
Midlands Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the tragic incident.
“The shocking incident was promptly reported to the police, who attended the scene to investigate further,” he said.
This shocking incident has reignited discussions about safety around local water bodies, as residents grapple with the implications of wildlife encounters in their vicinity.
As the village comes to terms with its loss, calls for increased awareness and caution near water sources have emerged, aiming to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.