A Survivor’s Story: The Devastating Impact of a Crocodile Attack
Mbuyo Kathumbi, a 36-year-old resident of Popa village in the Kavango East region, shares a harrowing experience that has left her with deep physical and emotional scars. Her story begins on 3 April, when she was attacked by a crocodile while fetching water from the Okavango River. This tragic incident has changed her life forever.
“Whenever someone touches me, I get a fright, thinking it’s the crocodile attacking me,” Kathumbi says. She now avoids the river entirely, even if it means going thirsty. For her and many others in the area, the daily trip to the river is a necessity due to the lack of available water points.
Kathumbi recounts the moment of the attack. “The crocodile bit into my left leg, and in the process of my friend pulling it off me, it bit off some meat. Then it came for my right leg, but fortunately its grip was not so strong, and my friend pulled me away.” She credits her survival to the bravery of her friend, who fought off the aggressive predator.
However, the aftermath of the attack has been devastating. Kathumbi now lives with permanent disabilities. She struggles with mobility, cannot sit for long periods, and finds it difficult to perform basic tasks like cooking or cleaning. “I’m even unable to bath by myself at times, and my children or my elderly mother must help me,” she explains.
Financial challenges have compounded her difficulties. Kathumbi used to take on piecework to support her five children, but now she is unable to work. Additionally, she has missed four follow-up visits to the hospital since being discharged from Andara Hospital. “I can’t afford to travel all the way there,” she says.
Constant Pain and Limited Access to Healthcare
The physical pain from the attack is relentless. “I live in constant pain because I cannot afford to go to the clinic to get painkillers or change my wound dressing due to transport challenges,” Kathumbi says. Even the painkillers provided at the clinic are no longer effective. She adds, “I’m starting to feel numb from my hip downwards in the injured leg. However, I’m unable to get to the doctor to see what’s wrong.”
Kathumbi has applied for compensation from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, but she has been waiting for six months without a response. “Hopefully, if I get that money, I will be able to go to the hospital to see the doctor, because my legs are getting weaker by the day,” she says.
As a survivor, Kathumbi strongly advises against anyone venturing to the river for water. “I do not wish what happened to me on anyone. I still have nightmares, and whenever someone touches me, I get a fright, thinking it’s the crocodile attacking me. Even if you don’t have water, don’t go there.”
Government Response and Ongoing Concerns
Elias Eino, the environment ministry’s officer in charge of the Bwabwata West National Park, confirms that the ministry is aware of Kathumbi’s attack and that her compensation request has been approved. “Everything was approved, and it’s just a matter of time before she’ll be compensated,” he says.
Eino also mentions other recent attacks in the region, including incidents involving Likando Kambango (9 months), Justine Dishaka (9), and an unknown elderly man at Kamutjonga village between September and November. He states that the ministry has put down a crocodile and retrieved clothing items, several bones, and teeth from it. “We’ve sent everything we’ve found for DNA testing. We suspect the two children were attacked by the same crocodile we put down, but to be sure, we need to wait for the results,” he adds.
The Broader Implications
The situation in Popa village highlights a larger issue of wildlife-human conflict in the region. With limited access to safe water sources and the presence of dangerous predators like crocodiles, residents face daily risks. Efforts to address these challenges require not only immediate action but also long-term solutions to ensure the safety and well-being of local communities.