A grade seven pupil of Kakaro Primary School in Luangwa District has been caught by a crocodile as she went to fetch fish in the shallow waters of the Luangwa River.
Phwazi Ward Councillor, Felix Kazangalale, confirmed the incident to ZANIS today, sayibng Maria Phiri, aged 14 years, of Mushiafumbi village and a grade seven pupil of Kakaro Primary School, was caught and killed by a crocodile as she went to catch fish in the shallow waters of the Luangwa River.
Councillor Kazangalale said Maria, who was supposed to write her last grade seven paper on Friday, was caught by a crocodile on Thursday around 14:00 hours and her body was retrieved around 17: 00 hours after a search by the villagers.
He said the body of Maria will be put to rest today, Friday 16, when she was supposed to write her last grade seven examination paper.
The councillor said people of Kakaro area have expressed concern at the increase of crocodile attacks in the area and now want to engage a witch finder to help them find a solution to these deaths.
Mr Kazangalale said just this year more than three deaths of crocodile attacks have been recorded and it has been the same nearly every year.
He said the villagers suspect that these are human crocodiles because when ZAWA officers are called to kill them the crocodiles disappear hence the community trying to engage a witch finder.
The councillor added that the crocodile attacks at Kakaro area are well known by Chief Mphuka, the District Administration, ZAWA and the police and the fear is that people might take the law in their hands and sort out the people suspected to be
harbouring these crocodiles.
ZANIS