In a horrifying incident in Zimbabwe, a 35-year-old mother of three was dragged to her death by a crocodile while collecting water from a rain-swollen river near her village. The attack occurred in the rural community of Chiredzi, where flooding has forced dangerous wildlife closer to human settlements.
A Routine Task Turns Deadly
The victim, Memory Ndlovu, had gone to the Save River early Wednesday morning to fetch water for her family when the reptile suddenly lunged at her. Eyewitnesses reported hearing her screams as the massive crocodile clamped onto her leg and pulled her into the murky waters.
“She was bending down to fill her bucket when the crocodile struck,” said Tinashe Moyo, a neighbor who rushed to help. “We threw stones and sticks, but it was too strong. It dragged her under before we could do anything.”
Villagers immediately launched a search, but the crocodile vanished into the deep currents. Hours later, Memory’s lifeless body was recovered downstream, bearing fatal bite wounds.
Floods Blamed for Increased Crocodile Encounters
Local authorities confirmed that recent heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, displacing crocodiles from their usual habitats. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management (ZimParks) warned that the reptiles are now venturing into flooded villages in search of food.
“This is the third crocodile attack in this region in two months,” said Ranger Tonderai Chikuni. “The floods have disrupted their natural hunting grounds, pushing them closer to humans.”
Zimbabwe is home to a large population of Nile crocodiles, one of the most aggressive species in the world. Conservationists say habitat destruction and illegal fishing have further increased human-crocodile conflicts.
A Community in Mourning
Memory’s death has left her family and village in shock. She was the primary caregiver for her three children, the youngest just four years old.
“She was just trying to get water for her kids,” her sister, Grace Ndlovu, wept. “Now they have no mother.”
Villagers have demanded government action, including:
- Emergency crocodile relocations from populated areas.
- Clean water provisions to prevent risky river trips.
- Compensation for victims’ families.
A Growing Crisis in Southern Africa
Crocodile attacks are rising across flood-prone regions of Africa. In Mozambique, a similar tragedy occurred last month when a fisherman was killed in the Zambezi River.
Data from CrocBITE, a global attack database, shows over 150 fatal crocodile attacks annually in Africa, with Zimbabwe among the worst-hit nations.
Authorities Issue Urgent Warning
ZimParks has urged residents to:
✔ Avoid riverbanks at dawn/dusk (peak feeding times).
✔ Use protected water points where possible.
✔ Report crocodile sightings immediately.
