LIMPOPO MIRROR (Makhado, S Africa) 21 December 06 Killer croc strikes (Wilson Dzebu)
A young schoolboy’s future dreams crumbled to zero when a crocodile killed him over the weekend. Desmond Mmbodi Rat[bleep]imbi (15) of Muraga Village, east of Thohoyandou, could not escape from the jaws of the crocodile while doing some washing at the Luvuvhu River on Friday. His body was retrieved from the river five hours later.
The last-born in a family of five kids, Desmond was a brilliant learner who was looking forward to doing his Grade 10 at the local Thase Secondary School next year.
His grieving father, Thomas Mmbodi Rat[bleep]imbi (56), said: "Four of my children have already died, but I have accepted the way of their departure from this world. But this time it is very difficult to accept this death, because it was unnatural. I will miss my little boy, from whom I was expecting so many things in life. He was so full of life and very intelligent. I can’t imagine how life could be without him. The cruelty of death has robbed me of a wonderful asset that I will never forget." The deceased’s mother, Emily, was still in a state of shock and she could not speak to Mirror during our visit to the family.
Family member Itani Mmbodi (37), who joined the search for the little boy at the Luvuvhu River during the fateful Friday, said: "I received a call at about 11:00 on Friday, informing me that Desmond had been attacked by a crocodile. His parents were attending a funeral at Bennde Mutale and they were not immediately available. The other boys said he was playing in the water when the crocodile grabbed his leg and dragged him to the deep water. The boys ran to the village to inform community members and that was where the search started."
Itani said there were lots of people when he arrived at scene of the incident. "Police officers, emergency staff, nature conservation staff and community members conducted a search for five hours. While we were inside the water, someone felt the boy’s body in the deep waters and we attempted to retrieve it. The crocodile was still holding on to it and it resisted for a long time. It did not give up until community members wrestled with it up to the bank of the river. It held him by his head and a gunshot to its head forced it to open its mouth, hence we rescued the boy. He was already dead, with a gaping wound to his head and another one to the left leg. The crocodile vanished into the deep water again."
The village traditional leader, Khosi Vho-Muraga, and Mr David Mamushiana of the Muraga Civic Association expressed their shock about the incident and sent heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family.
Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi of the Vhembe SAPS said an inquest docket had been registered, following the boy’s death.
* Desmond will be buried this Saturday at Muraga Village.
Killer croc strikes